Friday, June 19, 2009

campaign against illegal parkings in Lucknow

Dear fellow Lucknowites,
Its been almost two years since Lead India happened. Even though it was not a real election, rather only a competition, I still wish to convey my gratitude to all the fellow Lucknowites who voted for me and made me win in the popular voting with my vote share being close to 44% of the total votes polled. Two years hence, even now, I am often plesantly surprised when people whom I do not know personally approach me and ask me what I plan to do now in order to provide them with leadership.
Well, for starters, I have started a campaign against the racket of unauthorised parkings in the city. Almost all major markets of the city have goons of all shades masqurading as 'parking contractors'. In the name of 'parking tickets' daylight robbery is taking place and innocent citizens-often with their families-are daily being harrassed, humiliated and even manhandled by such elements.
I am sure that almost all of us have been victims of such extortion at some time or the other. We ignore this extrotion saying that it is only a matter of ten rupees. Actually it is not a matter of ten rupees. IT IS A MATTER OF OUR RIGHTS. The constitution of India gives us the right to life and liberty (article 21) and the right to reside and settle in any part of the country (article 19). The preamble to the constitution spells out principles of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity guaranteeing the "dignity of the individual". But what do we see in real life? Whatever we see is the antithesis of the lofty principles and fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.
Of course, EXTORTION IN THE GUISE OF PARKING-LOTS, is only one issue. There are a thousand such issues that need to be addressed. I have taken up this issue primarily because it is an example of how we give up our rights daily in the face of criminal intimidation and extortion by a handful of goondas in the city.
I have already submitted a written complaint to the District Magistrate (lucknow) detailing this racket with an example of an unauthorised parking being operated in front of Kapoorthala Market. Fellow citizens, in case you feel strongly about this issue, join me in this crusade. You dont need to come out on the streets and sit down on a dharna in order to do this. All you need to do is to write to the District Magistrate (lucknow) expressing solidarity with the issue that I have raised (mark a copy of the letter to me. Send it to 3/61, Vikas Nagar, Lucknow-226022) You can also write to the editors of the newspapers in the city. And the least that you can do is to refuse to accept a parking ticket at a parking lot where:
1) The personnel manning the parking lots are not in uniform
2) Where such personnel are not wearing proper name plates
3) Where proper information regarding the authorization of the parking, its rates and the authority to complain to in case of misbehaviour by the 'staff' is not displayed
4) Where the 'contractor' refuses to produce relevant papers on demand
In case of any misbehaviour/intimidation by such unscrupulous elements, go to the nearest police station and complain and/or call 100 and inform the police control room about such activities.
Friends, it takes a little time and effort to fight for your rights,but in the absence of such effort we become victims of abuse and intimidation in our own city and nation. I have decided not to give in to such gross, blatant and daylight robbery of my rights. Its time you also stood up and said NO to the murder of your rights.