HC gives nod to Sena’s annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is slated to hold a public rally at Shivaji Park on Dussehra, around 49 years after Bal Thackeray – months after forming the Shiv Sena – organised a public meeting for “Maharashtrian resurgence”.

Pleas were filed, in a pending public interest litigation by Wecom Trust, by the state government and Sena to hold the rally on October 22.

The applications were opposed by Wecom Trust and Awaz Foundation.

After a no-show previous year because of legal hassles, the Sena has once again returned to Shivaji Park for the rally, one that promises to be keenly watched for multiple reasons.

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 court however clarified that permission had been granted on condition that local residents would not be troubled and noise pollution rules would not be flouted. Sena’s Anil Parab had moved a separate application. A Division Bench on Justices V.M. Kanade and Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi granted the permission on condition that the Sena follow noise pollution rules as the park falls in a silent zone. The court said though political parties and organizations had the right to assemble for religious and cultural events, they had an obligation to adhere to noise pollution norms. The government pointed out that since 2010, permission had been granted.

The high court had also declared in 2010 that Shivaji Park would not be used for non-sports activities, except with its orders. Relevant amendments were made to the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act.

On Thursday, the government approached the court seeking its nod for the rally. Arguing he was not making a case for violation of law, Aney said the court should look at reality. He also said if a pragmatic balance is not maintained there would be civil revolt on streets. The government said noise was “a fact of life”. It warned of action for breach of conditions, including permissible noise limits.

While Thackeray said he will speak about it soon, senior party leaders have claimed that he will reveal his cards during the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park. “It is disturbing for people around the area”. Both NGOs said the noise pollution rules debar use of loud speakers in a silence zone. The judge asked MNS’s advocate Uday Warunjikar, “When you (MNS) were in the Shiv Sena, what was your stand?”