Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s ‘Gau Dharma Yuddh’ Lucknow event gets police nod — with 16 strict rules

Kishore Dave, the Swami’s secretary, said 16 conditions have been laid out. “While some of the conditions are common, how can they restrict one from contradicting anyone in a democracy. One has the right to contradict another’s policy,” said Dave.

A senior police officer said, “The permission was sought not by Swami Saraswati himself but by an organisation that’s managing the event in Lucknow on Wednesday. Permission has been given with conditions, keeping law and order in mind.”

Swami Saraswati has been at loggerheads with the Yogi Adityanath government in the state since the Magh Mela in January, over being allegedly prevented by the local administration from taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya. He was also questioned by the Prayagraj Mela Authority over his use of the title “Shankaracharya” of Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand.

He then issued a 40-day ultimatum to CM Adityanath to act on key demands — declaring the cow as ‘Rajya Mata (state mother)’ of UP and imposing a complete ban on beef export from the state — and said the Chief Minister must give “proof of being a Hindu”.

A week ago, Saraswati announced the march. Since March 7, the seer has been travelling from Varanasi towards Lucknow as part of what he has described as a religious mobilisation. He also warned of launching a larger agitation if the issues raised by him were not addressed.

What are the conditions?

-According to the permission letter, speakers at the event have been directed not to make remarks against any religion, caste, community or language. The organisers have also been instructed to ensure that no speech spreads hatred against political or religious figures.

-Police have further barred the use of controversial slogans by minor participants and prohibited the use of any weapon or harmful object at the venue except for traditional flag poles.

-To prevent disruption to traffic and public life, police have directed that only a limited number of two-wheelers and four-wheelers will be allowed entry to the venue. Parking on public roads has also been prohibited, and organisers have been asked to ensure that roads and traffic are not obstructed under any circumstances.

-The organisers have also been asked to submit any memorandum of demands through the designated government officer present at the venue instead of directly handing it over during the event.

-Police have made the organisers responsible for maintaining order, warning that any untoward incident during the programme will invite legal action against them. They have also been directed to bear the cost of the police deployment required to manage the crowd.

-Restrictions on sound have also been imposed, with the use of loudspeakers, music bands or drums prohibited in silent zones. The organisers must comply with the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and other directions issued by the traffic and fire departments.

-The police order states that if permission from any department, institution, or location authority is required, the organisers must obtain it beforehand and present it to the police if asked.

-The order adds that violation of any of the prescribed conditions or Noise Pollution rules could invite action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and any breach may lead to the immediate cancellation of the permission granted for the programme.