HC refuses to pass order permitting Bhim Army rally

PUNE: The vacation bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday refused to pass any order to the Pune City Police to allow a public meeting by Bhim Army in the city on December 31 in a petition filed by activist Datta Pol, Chief of the Bhim Army’s Pune District Unit. 

The petitioners have demanded compensation of Rs 10 crore from the State Government for alleged illegal detention of Bhim Army leaders and activists. 

Justice CV Bhadang directed the Pune Police to file its affidavit in response to the petition. The next hearing is on January 4. 

Chandrashekhar Azad alias Ravan, Chief of the Bhim Army, was to address a rally at the SSPMS ground near Pune RTO on Sunday evening. However, the owner of the ground, All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society (AISSMS) cancelled their permission citing instructions from the police. 

Azad had planned to address students on the campus of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), but varsity officials said no permission had been granted for the programme. 

‘Put Bhide, Ekbote under house arrest’
Azad arrived in Pune on Sunday night and interacted with supporters at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue opposite Sassoon Hospital. On Monday, he visited Mahatma Phulewada, Lal Mahal among other places. 

“I don’t create any law and order issue. I am just an activist and not a leader like (Ramdas) Athavale, Anandraj Ambedkar. Hence, the police have refused permission for my rally. Instead of taking action against me, the police should put Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide under house arrest. The government should know that wherever I have gone, the party in power has lost elections,” Azad said. 

KKM members protest
Members of Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) who had sought permission from the authorities to visit Koregaon-Bhima on January 1, have been issued notices and have been asked not to visit Koregaon-Bhima and surrounding villages till January 2. The members sent a letter to the police asking them to be taken there in a government vehicle as they want to pay tribute at Vijaystambh.