It is a sad state of affairs at Udaipur, the city of lakes and a peaceful as well as unbiased haven till now. In what is beginning to look like an open bias, the administration has accorded permission to the local BJP chapter to conduct a celebration amidst a huge public gathering in the centre of the city, even while Section 144 is imposed in the city.

Astounding as it may seem, the administration has unfailingly and shamefully given the go ahead to the government to celebrate the completion of 4 years of BJP rule in the state. Will the Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria come on stage with shame written all over his face, after what has transpired in his home town in the last three days?

As per the Collector, “We were asked to accord permission for the celebration event on 16th December, which we have given”, is all that the Collector had to say, as per reports in a local newspaper. The Dy Director, Information and PR Gaurishanker Sharma said, We asked to permission in written. We mentioned that Sec 144 is imposed and still we want to conduct the event. The permission was accorded.”

The administration and government assumes that the general public is dumb…or is it? When a city is under security with Sec 144 being imposed for the last three days, due to a ghastly open murder that happened in another nearby town, the administration still feels it is OK to permit a mass public gathering, where the government chaperons will make speeches on public platform for all to hear. Does the general public not understand that the mass gathering is bound to consist of all the anti-social elements who have been participating in the demonstrations and rallies over the last three days and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear in the city?

Additionally, the administration has also permitted release of 153 arrested individuals after they were rounded up over the last two days. 53 people have been kept under arrest.

Section 144 it seems is applicable only to the Internet and those who are involved in routine business. The entire IT Park is under Internet, with a bit of availability being accorded to MANAGE their work. However, for those in town with general connectivity and managing their day to day business on the internet, have come under the cruel hammer of the administration, which has turned a deaf ear to their pleas, just because the administration team is lazy. Inspite of recurrent appeals to simple shutdown social media and mobile data networks and let the corporate connectivity be continued undisturbed, the administration still decided shamefully to continue Sec 144 and Internet lock across the district on the third day in continuation. Though, Sec 144 will NOT BE APPLICABLE on a public funded BJP gathering of thousands in the heart of the city at the most inopportune hour.

As per a local newspaper, a youth leader said, “What is the celebration about? The government has not done anything worthwhile till now. Still, if the political party needs to celebrate, the expenses should be borne by the party itself.

Why does the expense burden come on the public exchequer? The official invitation card, which till date hd a white base and the Ashok Chakra insignia, now has been printed in saffron and has the BJP election symbol. Who is answerable for this?”