Thousands throng Mumbai’s Azad Maidan in solidarity with Queer Azadi March

Thousands gathered at Azad Maidan on Saturday for Mumbai Pride Solidarity gathering. The annual LGBT Pride Parade scheduled for February 1 at August Kranti Maidan was cancelled Tuesday after an anonymous message was circulated over the weekend linking it to a protest against the CAA and the proposed nationwide NRC. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Mumbai has been hosting the Queer Azadi March every year since 2008. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

As every year, the Humsafar Trust had last week obtained permission from the Gamdevi police station and the Mumbai Traffic Police for a crowd of 10,000-15,000 people to march from the historic August Kranti Maidan to Nana Chowk, Kennedy Bridge, Opera House and through Girgaum before returning to the Maidan. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

However, on Sunday, the Trust noticed a message being circulated on WhatsApp, which had the following words written on a rainbow flag — “Join the LGBTQIA community in upholding the values of the Constitution of India. Show up in big numbers to join the queer contingent that is against the NRC, CAA. 1st Feb 3 pm August Kranti Maidan Queer Azaadi March.” (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

After the post came to the attention of the police, it summoned the Trust on Monday for an explanation. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Tinesh Chopade, manager (advocacy) at Humsafar Trust, claimed, however, that the march is in no way linked to the nationwide protests against the central government’s citizenship legislation. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

A letter issued to the Trust by Rajendra Mohite, senior inspector, Gamdevi police station, states that permission for the march was denied after the police received information that slogans would be raised and banners displayed against the CAA and NRC. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Damage to public property during such a march would also result in offences being registered against the organisers under the Maharashtra Police Act, states the letter. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Following the police’s order, Queer Azaadi Mumbai, which organises the march, convened a meeting on Wednesday to finalise shifting the event to Azad Maidan. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)