New Delhi, Sept 2 : Five Indian professionals, who organised a rally in Dubai in support of Anna Hazare, are in jail for 12 days now, with the Indian Consulate stepping in to secure their release, reports The Indian Express.
These employees of private financial firms — in their 20s and 30s, from Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat — were arrested on August 20 when they organised the rally at Dubai's Al Mumzar Park mobilising about 150 people via social networking sites.
A typical invite read: “Support the crusader who has taken this fight against mighty and corrupt officials for the benefit of the nation. At 8.30 pm start walking towards South by the beach for about 1.5 km until you're guided...to the parking lot. Try not to be loud...peace remains essence of this event.”
Dubai police arrested the organisers of the rally for gathering without taking permission.Said India's Consul General in Dubai Sanjay Verma: “Our officials have got access to them. Because of Eid holiday in Dubai, things did not move.”He said “authorities” could take a call on their bail on Sunday.
On a radio show last week, Verma said: “I do understand that many Indians here feel strongly about the ongoing protests in India. A simpler way of conveying concerns is by joint petitions. My advice to Indian(s) is to be cautious and avoid public reactions to issues in India. But if you feel you need to, then do so acknowledging local laws.”
