HC allows Shiv Sena to hold Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park

Mumbai, Oct 16: The Bombay High Court on Friday, Oct 16 allowed Shiv Sena to hold its annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai on October 22 here subject to certain conditions, including adherence to noise pollution rules.

The conditions -- which the saffron party has to abide by this year -- had been imposed by the high court in the past. These pertain to adherence to noise pollution rules and restoration of the ground to its original position after the rally.

"We have allowed Shiv Sena to hold the rally in the past and there is no reason why we should not allow the party to organise it this year...However, the party would have to abide by the conditions imposed by the HC earlier," said Justices V M Kanade and Anuja Prabhudessai.

The HC cautioned the Sena against violating the rules. "A political party is for the benefit of citizens and therefore it should ensure that they (citizens) are not troubled. We, therefore, request Shiv Sena to observe the noise pollution (regulation and control) rules and other conditions," the bench observed.

The party has been facing opposition from certain quarters in organising the event at Shivaji Park in the past two years as the high court had declared it as a 'silence zone'.

Sena has been organising its annual rally on Dussehra every year since its inception to announce its policies and it has become a prestige issue for the party to hold the event every year at the same place.

The HC passed the order today, allowing Sena to hold the rally at Shivaji Park this year on separate applications moved by the BJP-led Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena, which also is part of the state government.

The applications were opposed by Wecom Trust and Awaz Foundation. Both NGOs said the noise pollution rules debar use of loud speakers in a silence zone.

On May 5, 2010, the high court, hearing a petition filed by WeCom Trust, had declared Shivaji Park ground as a silence zone and made it compusory for organisers to seek its permission to hold a rally or function there.

The high court had also declared in 2010 that Shivaji Park would not be used for non-sports activities, except with its orders. Since then, every organisation which wants to hold a function there, moves the HC for permission.

PTI