Bhim Army protest: Founder Chandrashekhar Azad, thousands of Dalit activists assemble at Delhi's Jantar Mantar

Protests have intensified against caste disturbances in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and thousands of Dalit activists led by Bhim army gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday.

Various Dalit groups and their members gathered at the protest site on Sunday, despite being denied permission by the Delhi Police. Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar, who is wanted by Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly trying to instigate people, was also present at the event.

Slogans were raised against casteist exploitation and atrocities on the basis of caste.

News reports further claimed that Gujarat youth Dalit leader Jignesh Mawani and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar were among those who joined the protesters.

Security in New Delhi has been increased after Dalit activists threatened to launch a protest in the National Capital despite the  denial of permission by Delhi Police. "They have not taken prior permission but we will not remove them forcefully. We will wait and watch until they do it peacefully," DCP New Delhi told media on Sunday. 

 In preparation of the unlikely unrest, Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory order in New Delhi. Barricades have been put in and around Parliament. Paramilitary force along with armed police and district unit deployed. 

Saharanpur clash: Protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar by Dalit organizations including Bhim Army pic.twitter.com/pAI7NY9AJE

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 21, 2017

 

50,000 plus Bhim Army preps to march on Delhi

Top leaders of Bhim Army have been running a mass mobilisation effort in Western UP to ensure that thousands reach Delhi on May 21 to protest against alleged atrocities against Dalits. 

Chandrashekhar Azad, wanted for his alleged involvement in the clashes between police and Dalit protesters on May 9 released a short audio message where he appealed to all "fellow advocates" and those who believe in Ambedkar's ideology to be present at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Sunday. 

According to officials in Delhi, permission has been sought for a crowd of 50,000, but that many more are expected, due to which permission could not be given.

In a letter, the deputy commissioner of police of New Delhi district BK Singh expressed fears that more than 50,000 would be present while he denied permission for holding the protest.

"Jantar Mantar for dharna or demonstration cannot accommodate such a large gathering (50,000 people). There is some intelligence that the gathering will be higher than the intimation given by you," the letter addressed to the organisers read.