BMC blocked Savarkar event at Shivaji Park,High Court told

Venus Cultural Association had recently moved the court seeking permission to host a two-day programme at the spot. The association wants to celebrate the centenary of two events in connection with freedom fighter Veer Savarkar—his legendary escape from the Cellular Jail in Andaman and the famous song penned by him Sagara Pran Talamala. The petitioners said that as Savarkar lived and died at a “stone’s throw” distance from the park,the celebration should be held there.

However,Wecom informed the court on Wednesday that the corporation had revoked the permission on May 10 for conducting the programme on May 29 and 30.

The vacation bench,comprising Justices Abhay Oka and Mridula Bhatkar,made it clear that they could not set aside the earlier court order. The judges also pointed out that since the BMC has revoked the permission,the association will have to challenge it. The advocate appearing for Venus argued that they were not aware of the order passed by the corporation.

“We proceeded on the fact that the permission has been granted,” the lawyer said. It was also contended that the earlier court order had only ordered a ban on loudspeakers and not a blanket ban on all programmes. “Are you saying that you are not going to use loudspeakers?” Justice Oka asked.

The court has now directed the association to challenge the revocation if the matter wants to be heard further.