The Delhi Police on Saturday tried to stop a seminar-cum-workshop on alternative policies with regard to the G20, which was being held at the HKS Bhavan in New Delhi. The police said that the seminar was unauthorized and that they had received intelligence inputs that it could be used to spread dissent.
The organizers of the seminar, however, denied the allegations and said that they had all the necessary permissions. They said that the seminar was being held to discuss alternative policies that could be adopted by the G20 countries to address the global economic crisis.
The police eventually allowed the seminar to go ahead, but they remained present throughout the event. The organizers said that the police presence was intimidating and that it made it difficult for them to freely discuss their views.
The incident has been condemned by civil liberties activists, who say that it is an attempt by the government to suppress dissenting opinions. They say that the police should not have tried to stop the seminar, which was being held in a peaceful manner.
The Delhi Police has not yet commented on the matter.
In a statement, the organizers of the seminar said that they were "deeply disappointed" by the police action. They said that the seminar was being held to "discuss important issues of public interest" and that the police should not have tried to stop it.
The statement said that the organizers would "continue to fight for the right to free speech and expression".
The incident has raised concerns about the freedom of expression in India. It is the latest in a series of incidents in which the government has been accused of trying to suppress dissent.
