Chandrashekhar Azad’s party launch defied coronavirus advisory: Cops

NOIDA: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad defied the public health advisory against large gatherings while launching his political outfit, Azad Samaj Party, on Sunday, police said. His supporters, however, said they had been told a meeting organised indoors would not require permission and the event had been planned as a low-key affair for delegates — people had turned up on their own.
Around 10am on Sunday, Bhim Army workers reached the Sector 70 farmhouse for the final arrangements of the event. The farmhouse was locked, with a police notice saying the meeting cannot be organised following the government’s advisory against public gathering in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.
“A night ago, we had been told that we could hold the meeting indoors. But today, the owner of the farmhouse was stopped from letting us use the premises,” Satpal Chaudhary, a core committee member of the newly formed party told TOI.
Police finally relented and allowed them to hold the event. About 500 people attended the launch, which began at 12.30pm.
The DCP, however, said Azad’s supporters had initially sought permission for a 1,000-strong gathering. “We had made it clear that no gathering on a road or public place would be allowed because of the advisory. But they decided to hold the meeting inside the premises, which did not require permission. We tried to explain the public health implications, but they went ahead at their own risk,” DCP (central Noida) Harish Chander said. While the DCP said the district magistrate’s order had been violated, the DM said it was a “law and order” problem, which is the cops’ responsibility.