Mumbai: Bombay HC has sought the state’s reply to a petition that seeks direction to police to allow a programme to be held at Azad Maidan from Nov 24-26 to mark the 77th Constitution Day .




The petition by Democratic Forum of Social Workers , a trust, also seeks that police grant it permission “to move around with a four-wheeler handcart carrying a bust of Dr Ambedkar, the tricolour, a copy of the Constitution, along with pamphlets to distribute to garner support of like-minded people in Mumbai city”.




According to the petition, the trust has been carrying on social welfare activities since 2014. It has planned a nationwide public awareness campaign to promote Ambedkar’s ideology, “to unite citizens beyond religious divides”, and to raise funds for the first phase of a nationwide padayatra from Mumbai to Kanyakumari.




The petition said the conference will feature speeches by constitutional experts and eminent personalities. “It will include constructive guidance, and proposed measures will be presented on the topic ‘Democracy on the brink of death and significance of Dr Ambedkar’s visionary thought and ideology’,” it said.




The trust had applied to the regional transport office, which refused it permission and advised it to approach the Mumbai commissioner of police (CP). Despite applications to the CP on Sept 11 and Sept 28, “it appears [the CP] is deliberately avoiding permission to the petitioner, or at any rate, taking no decision or granting relief in the matter”, said the petition.




It said the trust has carried out various programmes related to the Constitution since 2019 with police permission. It said the respondents’ inaction and delay infringe upon the petitioner’s fundamental rights to equality, speech and expression, and peaceful assembly.




The trust’s president, Pravin Singhal , told Justices Advait Sethna and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale on Monday that elaborate arrangements are required to be made. The judges said the “matter requires consideration” and posted the hearing for Nov 18. They directed prosecutor Shreekant Gavand to take instruction “and/or file a reply, if so advised”.