Amritsar, August 5 (K.L. Jit Walia): Prominent social worker and President of Shri Ram Sonsal Welfare Society (Regd.), Punjab, Advocate Mangat Ram Silli (Deed Writer), has urged the Punjab Government to designate specific locations across the state where employee unions, organizations, and other groups can hold peaceful protests, demonstrations, and public gatherings without disrupting public life.
Advocate Silli said that while every citizen has the democratic right to express their views and stage peaceful protests, blocking major roads such as the GT Road, Ucha Pul, national highways, and important city intersections for hours causes unnecessary hardship to the general public.
He pointed out that road blockades severely affect office-goers, students, ambulance services, traders, commuters, and people traveling for urgent work. In emergency situations, such disruptions can delay people from reaching their destinations on time, potentially leading to serious consequences.
He further stated that the demands raised during protests are directed at the government, not the general public. Therefore, inconveniencing ordinary citizens cannot be justified.
Advocate Silli suggested that the Punjab Government should establish dedicated “Protest Grounds” or “Demonstration Sites” in every major city, equipped with essential facilities such as drinking water, toilets, seating arrangements, and adequate security. This would allow organizations to effectively present their demands while ensuring that traffic and public life remain unaffected.
He added that such a system would protect citizens’ constitutional rights while maintaining smooth traffic flow and public order, making it easier for the administration to manage law and order.
Concluding his appeal, Advocate Mangat Ram Silli urged the Punjab Government to formulate a concrete policy at the earliest to strike a balance between democratic rights and public convenience.
KL JIT WALIA
