Hiwarkhed: Responding to the appeal of social activist and editor-in-chief of Dainik Deshonnati Prakash Pohare, a peaceful and silent protest ‘Remove EVMs, Save Democracy’ was organised by Hiwarkhed’s all-party forum, ‘Hum Hiwarkhedkar’ at the historic Sampatrao Bhopale Chowk of Hiwarkhed town on December 5. The protest received an encouraging response.
On Thursday, December 5, from 1 to 3 p.m., 692 men and women participated in the peaceful dharna movement at Bhopale Chowk by voters of various parties, organization representatives and women voters to save democracy.
Questions included, ‘If elections are held on ballot papers in most developed countries of the world, then why not on ballot papers in India?;’ ‘Why are doubts regarding EVMs not being cleared?’ In the afternoon, citizens discussed the issue with experts on the subject. Shyamshil Bhopale, the organiser of the ‘EVM Hatav, Loktantra Bachao’ movement, has been given a notice by the Hiwarkhed police under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita. Gajanan Rathod of Hiwarkhed Police Station personally visited the said silent dharna and issued a notice to the organiser Shyamsheel Bhopale under Section 168 of the BNS. But peaceful protests by voters and citizens were directly monitored and no case was registered.
The importance of the venue
The location of the protest, at the square (chowk) named after historic freedom fighter and patriot Sampatrao Bhopale Chowk of Hiwarkhed is that it was at this spot –Bhopale Chowk—that the movement to compel Britishers (colonial powers) to leave had begun, the famed Bartanda movement led by the late V. R. Korpe. Similarly more recent movements for better prices to cotton farmers were also launched here. Similarly, on Thursday, the EVM removal movement “Hum Hivarkhedkar” silent movement was successfully launched and conducted.
‘EVM hatao’ protesters
Poster of ‘EVM Hatao’ Protest
Letter of protesters
Police Notice served on protesters
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