Blockading roads for party conferences must end

Public roads are meant for the smooth movement of people and vehicles. It has become a common practice to block roads and obstruct travel anywhere in Kerala in violation of this elementary rule. This denial of law takes place on organizational strength. The latest incident in this category was when commuters were made to suffer throughout the day on Thursday at Vanchiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram city because roads were blocked in connection with the CPM Vanchiyoor area conference. The fact that this day-long violation took place on the road which people who visit the district court, several lower courts, Vanchiyoor police station and the administrative tribunal use daily, is proof that no authorised personnel here are willing to question this injustice.

School students, patients and those who had to reach the courts were among those who had to be stranded on the road due to the unexpected closure of the road. Even though a local conference of a party is an issue that affects only members of that party, it must be because of the arrogance of power that the party chose the busiest public street without choosing any other public place. When there is plenty of space and venues to hold such party conferences in Thiruvananthapuram city, there is no justification for trapping passengers and those who set out to reach the city for various purposes on the route like this. Moreover, no notice was given regarding blockading the road. It should be remembered that the massive Raj Bhavan march of the LDF on the Wayanad issue was also held on the same day.

The stage was erected in front of the Vanchiyoor police station, which was tasked with protecting the law. In addition to the conference, there was also a drama. It was only at night after all this was over that the police woke up to a sense of law. The police registered a case against 500 known people and showed their responsibility. See how law enforcement works?! The high court has directed that nothing that disrupts travel on public roads should be allowed. But who cares? In many places, especially in the capital city, traffic can be stopped if ten people wish to do so. Being the administrative centre, all the organisations come to the capital to bring one or the other demands to the notice of the government. If it is the days when the Assembly meets, these organisations will be busy all day long on the road. The police will be diverting vehicles as it becomes impossible to handle traffic on the main roads. As all the side roads come to a standstill in the traffic, the traffic jams become tenfold.

Only when the rights of others are respected can the true meaning of a democratic system be realized. The organisers should show propriety to keep a part of the road empty so that traffic is also possible when demonstrations and processions are taking place on the road. The strength of the organizations should not be demonstrated by obstructing the road and blocking vehicles for long periods of time. On the contrary, the greatness of organizations is shown when they recognise the rights of all. Not only political parties, but also places of worship and cultural organisations are increasingly taking to the streets in connection with the celebrations. This evil trend is not going to end just with a court ban. The only way out is self control. There should be wisdom from all parties not to repeat the Vanchiyoor model.