The Bombay High Court on Friday allowed—with conditions—-the plea of Sakal Hindu Samaj to organise an event in Malegaon of Nashik district on March 30 on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa, where former BJP MP and Malegaon 2008 blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur will be present and will be felicitated.
A bench of Justices Ravindra V Ghuge and Ashwin D Bhobe was hearing plea by one Rahul Nana Bachhav, coordinator of Sakal Hindu Samaj from Malegaon. The plea sought directions to Nashik rural police and District Collector to ensure that no interference or impediment is caused by them by removing the placards, flex boards, hoardings, banners, posters of the proposed Virat Hindu Sant Sammelan at Yashaswi Compound at Satana Naka in Malegaon on Sunday.
Pending disposal of the plea, the petitioner also sought direction that no coercive action can be taken against the organisers of the event.
“After 78 years of the freedom of India, we have every reason to believe that the population of this country is sufficiently educated and wise to understand the self imposed limitations on what to speak and what not to. Wisdom should prevail and the Speakers would also ensure that as they express their thoughts, none of them would be directed against any other religion due to which the members of the other religions would feel hurt.”
It went on to add, “We are of the view that people should act responsibly showing wisdom and patriotism and allow people to profess their religion, customs and worship. Wisdom comes from understanding and harmony arises when we embrace that understanding with kindness and compassion. ‘Live and let live’ should be the hallmark of our character. True peace is found not in mere knowledge, but in the balance of the mind, heart and soul.”
The court said the event can be held for four hours between 7am in the morning and 5pm in the evening and the organisers should give an undertaking to the police ensuring that there would be no untoward incident.
The bench said police shall earmark the route for attendees and ensure that it does not pass any crowded or congested locality. The Nashik police has been further asked to give protection to the event and to decide on whether to levy protection charges on organisers.
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Seven accused, including Thakur, are facing trial for the blast at Malegaon town in 2008.
According to organisers, besides Thakur, Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote and president of Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti (Maharashtra) Swami Pragyanand Saraswati are likely to be present for the event. Thakur is to be felicitated with ‘Hindu Veer’ award.
Advocates Subhash Jha, Ashish Saxena and Siddharth Jha claimed that on February 18, the petitioner had requested the police and local administration to grant permission for holding the event on March 30 and despite following up with the authorities, permission was not granted.
Jha argued that organisers were informed that no official communication would be given to them, and if the event is organised without approval, the police would stop the function and would pull down the flex boards, posters, banners etc. put up in different parts of Nashik city, reason why the petitioner had to approach the high court.
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Government Pleader Neha Bhide for state government submitted that as per Nashik Police report, some speakers are prone to making inflammatory speeches which are likely to hurt the feelings and sentiments of people belonging to different religions. The report also mentioned that Thakur is an accused in 2008 blast case. “Considering the present situation at Nagpur and the burial ground of Aurangzeb, the law and order situation is likely to be seriously affected by such congregation,” the state submitted.
After hearing submissions, the bench allowed the plea and imposed certain conditions for organising the event on March 30.
Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage.
Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in:
Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include:
Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes).
Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty).
Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict.
Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability.
Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges.
Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More
