Allahabad high court dismisses plea seeking nod to hold CAA protest

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad High Court on Friday refused to interfere in a writ petition, seeking permission to organize protests against the amended citizenship law in Firozabad, saying "it's not in national interest to give relief. If the petitioner is a citizen of India, he must maintain peace at any cost. Hence, we are not inclined to interfere and the petition is dismissed".
The petition was filed by Firozabad resident Mohammed Furquan, self-styled district president of National Political Party. He moved an application on crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS) of UP government, seeking permission to organize a protest against CAA and NRC. When district authorities refused permission on January 22, Furquan approached station house officer of Rasulpur police station. The SHO cited prohibitory orders under Section 144 to refuse nod, while adding Hussaini Mohalla ground was a sensitive locality and protests could disturb peace. Police also warned the petitioner and his cadre that organizing protests would invite legal action.
The petitioner, Mohammad Furquan, then filed a writ in the high court, challenging the January 22 order of the district administration and Rasulpur police. The petitioner pleaded that a blanket ban on protests violates Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. The petitioner further said since he's aggrieved by the arbitrary enforcement of CAA, he along with supporters wanted to organize a peaceful protest.