22 Dec 2024 | 03:00 AM UTC
India: Further protests to occur nationwide through late December to denounce home minister's remarks
Further protests planned across India through late December to denounce home minister's remarks. Localized disruptions likely.
Opposition parties and Dalit organizations are organizing protests across India through late December to denounce Home Minister Amit Shah's allegedly disrespectful comments on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during a recent parliamentary session on Dec. 17. In recent days, related demonstrations have occurred at various locations nationwide, with minor clashes reported between the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) coalition and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members outside the Parliament Complex in New Delhi Dec. 19. As of Dec. 22, protest organizers have announced the following planned actions:
Dec. 22-23: The Indian National Congress will hold press conferences across 150 locations nationwide to demand Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation.
Dec. 23: The Trinamool Congress will hold protests across West Bengal from 14:00.
Dec. 24: The Indian National Congress will organize district-level protests and Bahujan Samaj Party will hold demonstrations nationwide.
Dec. 28: Dalit organizations under the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDOR) will stage nationwide protests in response to Shah's comments.
Additional demonstrations of various types, including marches and road blockades, are likely over the coming weeks. Potential protest locations include political party offices, government buildings like state assemblies and district collector offices, public squares, transport hubs, and major thoroughfares. The highest levels of participation are likely in opposition-led states and those with large Dalit populations, such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar. Well-attended gatherings could attract hundreds of participants.
Officials will almost certainly monitor these gatherings and may move to disperse crowds if they become unruly or attempt to breach security cordons. Clashes between activists and police and members of opposing groups are possible. Demonstrators may march along or block roadways, prompting localized transport disruptions. Associated localized business disruptions are also possible.
Avoid all protests as a precaution. Depart the area at the first sign of any security disturbance. Allow additional travel time near gathering sites. Heed all official transport and security advisories.
