Gujarat HC issues notice in PIL seeking videography by state of all processions, rallies to prevent communal incidents

Highlighting that the “social fabric of India is under threat of rupture because of increasing incidents of mob violence”, the PIL states that “there has been a litany of spiralling mob violence because of lack of proper security arrangement and necessary intelligence report”.

Citing communal incidents that took place in Vadodara during Ram Navami on March 30 this year and hate speech at Una, it has been submitted that the “state machinery failed to prevent such incidents”. The petitioner is seeking that videography of all such processions and rallies be done by the state machinery along with ensuring strict security arrangements.

Government pleader Manisha Lavkumar informed the division bench of Acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav that a certain amount of security is provided to such rallies and processions already with traffic and police authorities duly informed. However, Lavkumar added, “How is it possible for state machinery to bear the expense, carry out videography of entire thing and ensure security… In case of any untoward incident, the next corollary will be ‘you hold the police authorities responsible that there was a security lapse’… Across the state at certain locations we have videography, we have CCTV at every crossroads.”

The bench asked the government to place on the Court’s record what it intends to propose about the petitioner’s request for videography of all such processions and rallies, along with the details of the steps the state takes with regard to ensuring security during rallies and processions and the precautions the state takes.

The state is expected to respond with the details by April 20.