CPI(M) granted permission to hold rally against Gaza genocide: Mumbai Police to Bombay High Court

The Mumbai Police informed the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has been granted permission to hold a 'peaceful assembly' at Azad Maidan on August 20 against the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

A Bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad was further informed by Senior Advocate Mihir Desai for CPI(M) that in light of the permission, the meeting will be held between 3 and 6 pm on August 20.

He further undertook that the meeting shall be peaceful and shall be in compliance with the Draft regulations for public meetings, agitations and processions proposed under the Maharashtra Police Act.

As per the draft rules, public meetings such as this can be held only in a designated area of Azad Maidan. The rules further prescribe that organisers are responsible for ensuring that the protest is peaceful and does not adversely impact law and order.

On July 25, the Court had rejected a similar petition filed by CPI(M) which had challenged the police's June 17 refusal to allow the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO) to hold a protest on the issue at Azad Maidan.

At the time, the Court had also strongly criticised the party, observing that that instead of focusing on issues thousands of miles away, the party should concentrate on problems affecting India.

“You are looking at issues in Gaza and Palestine. Look at your own country. Be patriots. This is not patriotism. People say they are patriots,” the Court had remarked at the time.

The Court had suggested that the party should take up local civic concerns. It also noted that the foreign policy of the country differs from the stance taken by the party and warned of the potential diplomatic consequences of such protests.

In its order, the Court further questioned by the CPI (M) had approached the Court in the matter when the permission was rejected to the AIPSO.

"The aggrieved party will be that Organisation which has to challenge the rejection order," it said.

The present petition, on the other hand, challenged the police refusal to grant the CPI(M) permission to hold such a protest. The CPI(M)'s July 19 application for permission was pending with the police when the Court passed its July 25 order.

After this application was rejected, the CPI(M) moved a fresh plea before the High Court challenging the police refusal of permission.

When the matter was heard yesterday, the Court had asked the State's Additional Public Prosecutor to take instructions on whether it can allow the protest with some conditions to ensure that it doesn't affect public order.

Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, representing CPI (M), also apprised the Court that they have already acquired permission for holding a similar protest in Pune last week.

When the matter was heard today, the Court was informed that permission has been granted.

The Bench then disposed of the petition.

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