The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to clarify whether it will permit a Constitution Day event and public-awareness campaign at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan from November 24 to 26, after organisers approached the court over the lack of a response to their applications for permission.
A public interest litigation was filed by the Democratic Forum of Social Workers through its president, Pravin Singhal. The petition was heard by a vacation bench comprising Justices Advait Sethna and Ranjitsinh Bhosale. The court directed the government pleader to obtain instructions from the state government and file a response if considered necessary.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 18. The petitioners told the bench that an early decision was necessary because extensive preparations would be required for the proposed programme. The event is planned to mark the anniversary of Constitution Day and would include a public-awareness campaign, according to the report.
The organisation said it had submitted applications to the Mumbai police commissioner on September 11 and September 28 seeking permission to hold the programme at Azad Maidan. It alleged that no response had been received from the police so far.
The matter also involves the division of administrative responsibility for public events in Mumbai. The Regional Transport Office had earlier refused permission and advised the organisers to approach the police commissioner. The petitioners have argued that the delay by the police amounts to a violation of fundamental rights, including equality, freedom of expression and the right to assemble peacefully.
Azad Maidan is a major public ground in south Mumbai and is regularly used for rallies, demonstrations, public events and sporting activities. Permissions for gatherings at such spaces typically require authorities to assess crowd management, traffic movement, public safety and the availability of the venue. The court proceedings now place the state government’s position on record as the immediate issue before the bench.
The High Court has not, according to the supplied report, granted permission for the event. Its direction is limited to seeking clarity from the government on the proposed programme and requiring the government pleader to obtain instructions. The next hearing on November 18 is expected to determine how the state responds to the organisers’ request ahead of the proposed November 24-26 event.
