Karachi and Hyderabad: Enforcement of Ban on Rallies Leads to Arrests
- As many as 30 leaders and workers were apprehended for conducting an unautnerous assembly. This follows a recent decree prohibiting public gatherings, under which six individuals from the city’s heartland found themselves in custody due to MQM-London activities.*
Case registered against 24 workers for violating Section 144 in district Central; six picked up in Hyderabad. This incident unfolded on December 9th, as reported by Dawn News with no specific times mentioned but implying an urgency and a swift response from law enforcement following the MQM-L call for respect at Jinnah’s monument — built to honor those who suffered under sectarianism.*
- The commencement of “Youm-i-Shuhada” or Day of Martyrdom has brought forth not only reverberations in society but also significant tensions between peaceful demonstrators and security forces. In the bustling cityscape, where activists were caught attempting to navigate restrictions imposed by a temporary shutdown order — which was put into effect during morning rush-hour traffic.*
- The aftermath of this enforcement brought about mixed emotions among onlookers who witnessed lawful dissent being pursued with such determination. While footage captured the visceral essence and raw energy, it also showcased a formidable police presence that appeared to intimidate rather than engage.*
- Despite these heavy-handed tactics coming under fire for their perceived severity — especially since women were among those chasing respect in footsteps alongside men. The response from senior leadership within MQM, namely Altaf Hussain and Mustafa Azizabadi himself, underscored a firm stance against such actions.*
- In Hyderabad’s historically significant areas — not immune to political undertones — the pursuit of justice for peaceful assembly was echoed. As in Karachi where MQM-L workers found themselves ensnared by an unyielding mandate, their story became yet another thread intertwined within a larger narrative.*
- The Hyderabad police’s decision to detain approximately half of the activists — who had been partaking in peaceful protest amidst tumultuous times and honoring fallen comrades at Shuhada graveyard on December 9th, also signaled solidarity with actions taken by their counterparts from Karachi.*
- As we turn to legal recourse against such encroachments — the Hyderabad Police have made clear that a case will be brought forward under Section 188 for disobedience. Dr. Farrukh Ali, SSP-Hyderabad and others assure continued vigilance over these matters.*
- The unfolding stories from both cities paint an intricate picture of the current societal landscape — where political expression takes shape against a backdrop of stringent governance measures during sensitive periods such as “Youm-i-Shuhada.”*
Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2024
