Permission won't be granted for night protest on Majeedhee Magu: Ihusaan

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan said on Tuesday that permission will not be granted to hold protests on Majeedhee Magu at night, citing traffic and the rights of road users.

Ihusaan made the remarks while responding to a question from Thoddoo MP Ahmed Sameer of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) during Tuesday's sitting of the People's Majlis.

The MDP is preparing to hold a protest in Malé on Thursday night under the slogan "Dhathi Vejje", or "Things Have Become Difficult".

The party has sought permission for the protest to begin at Rasfannu at 8.30pm, proceed along Majeedhee Magu and end at Artificial Beach. The MDP has raised concerns over the authorities' refusal to approve the requested route.

Responding to Sameer's question, Ihusaan said the government's policy is to provide politicians and members of the public with the rights guaranteed under the Constitution. However, he said authorities must consider the time and location when deciding whether roads can be closed for political activities.

"When granting an opportunity to block Malé's busiest and most central thoroughfare, Majeedhee Magu, to conduct a political activity, we generally look at what day and time it is being done," Ihusaan said.

"If it is a time where permission can be granted, meaning that closing the road would not severely impact traffic in other parts of Malé, we have granted that opportunity in the past."

Ihusaan said the MDP's requested starting time of 8.30pm falls during a period when traffic volumes are high.

"Because the time currently requested by MDP is at night, which is a period when traffic is generally very heavy, we cannot grant permission for that location at that hour," he said.

The minister said authorities have instead approved a route along the outer ring road, beginning at Artificial Beach and extending towards the area near Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi, the Maldives National Defence Force headquarters.

Referring to sections of Boduthakurufaanu Magu that have been expanded to four lanes, Ihusaan said there was space available for political gatherings and asked parties to use such areas instead of Majeedhee Magu.

"There are very large spaces available to conduct protests or express public views. Therefore, I request all political parties to utilise those spaces," he said.

Ihusaan also said permission had previously been granted for protests on Ameenee Magu. However, he said the road could not currently be used for protests because repair and redevelopment work is underway.

The minister said authorities would facilitate an alternative route and provide security for the MDP protest.

"We will facilitate the route and we will also provide security. You may proceed with expressing your views as much as you wish. However, because protecting the rights of everyday road users is our responsibility, we are seeking a way forward that balances the rights of both parties," Ihusaan said.