AIMIM given permission to hold rally on Tipu Sultan jayanti: Pune Police to Bombay High Court

The Pune Police on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that it has granted permission to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) to hold a procession on December 24 to commemorate the birth anniversaries of Tipu Sultan and Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.Tipu Sultan was the 18th century ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore while Azad was the first Education Minister of independent India. The information related to grant of permission was submitted before the Division Bench of Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice PK Chavan during the hearing a petition filed by AIMIM Pune District President, against the denial of permission for the rally..Taking note of the Pune Police submission, the Court emphasized that the procession must adhere to the terms and conditions. It also directed Pune Police and civic authorities to decide on AIMM's application for erecting arches and banners within 24 hours.Meanwhile, the Court criticized the State for frequently citing "law and order issues" as a reason for refusing permission for events. "What is this law and order situation? You are anticipating that something will happen. Law and order is your prerogative. Every time you raise the issue of law and order, when will you change your mindset?," the Court asked..Last week, the Bench had questioned the denial of permission for the rally, which was earlier scheduled for November 26."There is no reason why they can't be allowed to take out the procession for this. You can impose restrictions. And in case of incidents, you can always register the offences. Law and order is your prerogative," the Court had observed on December 12.In pursuance of the observations, the Police has now permitted the rally, which is also being held to commemorate the Constitution Day..During the hearing , advocate Tapan Thatte, representing AIMIM, raised the issue of Police's refusal to grant the NOC required to obtain permission from the civic authorities for banners and arches.Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar explained that the NOC was withheld due to apprehension of law-and-order issues.The Court remarked that while AIMIM has the right to hold the procession, the police also are responsible for maintaining law and order."You have the right to take procession... but if the police feel there will be a law and order situation then we are not going to interfere in their domain. We cannot pass a blanket order," the Bench said.