The Pune police have granted permission for a procession organized by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on December 24, celebrating Constitution Day along with the birth anniversaries of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Tipu Sultan in Baramati.
This decision follows a legal challenge by AIMIM’s Pune city president, who opposed the earlier denial of permission for the event.
In response to the police’s announcement, a Division Bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan upheld a notice restricting the procession from stopping near any religious sites, particularly temples.
The Bench expressed concern over the police’s rationale for denying permission based on potential law and order issues, stating, “You are anticipating something; it is your responsibility to ensure safety during events.”
Advocate Tapan Thatte represented the petitioner and pointed out that, despite the granted permission for the procession, additional clearance from the Municipal Council of Baramati was needed to display banners and arches.
The court affirmed, “If the law requires specific permissions for such processions, it must be adhered to; exceptions cannot be made.”
Recently, the High Court addressed prior denials for a rally originally planned for November 26.
Tipu Sultan was the 18th-century ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, while Azad served as India’s first Education Minister post-independence.
Published – December 18, 2024 01:19 am IST
