Police nod to hold ‘All India Muslim Mahapanchayat’ at Ramlila Maidan, HC told

“In view of the fact that permission had been granted to the petitioner to hold a function on December 18, based on points to be ensured by the organiser to secure safe and smooth conduct of the programme, the writ petition stands disposed of,” Justice Prasad said.

The HC further said no other department will raise any objection regarding the conduct of the programme or availability of the Maidan on the designated date.

Police have asked the petitioner to assure them on certain points, including that the event would not significantly increase than the proposed 10,000 people. Among other points, police also said the names and number of speakers, as conveyed to them, would not exceed or change, and no speaker would say anything against Indian laws or make any kind of hate speech that could disturb public harmony, peace and tranquility of the area.

The petitioner had made an application on November 10 with the MCD for allotment of the Maidan; the same day, the MCD responded saying it was available and can be allotted subject to an NOC by police.
Police had previously told the court that it received an application on November 8 from the Maha Tyagi Sewa Sansthan for organising a programme between December 3-5 at Ramlila Maidan and a NOC had already been issued to it.

The court said that “without going into the issue whether the Sansthan should have first approached the MCD and then the police or vice versa”, and to bring an end to the controversy, it had directed the counsel for the respondents to give certain dates to the counsel for the petitioner on which date the programme can be organised.
After the dates were provided, the petitioner’s counsel had said that December 18 would be the most convenient.

The court had on November 25 asked the MCD and police to consider the feasibility of holding the event on December 18 at the venue; on November 28, police said the organisation’s application to hold the event will be considered and decided by November 29.

The HC noted today that a meeting was conducted and an order was issued by the police on November 30.

The organisation aims to work on a national campaign to disseminate widespread awareness of the ideals and provisions of the Constitution of India. It had earlier called for a mass meeting on October 29 at the same venue, permission for which was first granted and then subsequently revoked by police. The organisation had moved the HC and its plea was dismissed on October 25, while observing that the petitioner may apply for permission afresh after the festival period. (reporter: Malavika Prasad)