Hyderabad : The Telangana high court on Thursday questioned how a rally carrying the national flag could lead to communal violence and why the govt was creating hurdles for such events when it should ideally support and encourage them.
Observing that lawlessness would prevail if law-abiding citizens were prevented from exercising their rights, Justice T Madhavi Devi directed Hyderabad police to grant permission for two separate rallies, each restricted to 150 motorcycles. Police had cited law and order concerns, apprehensions of communal tension, assembly bandobast, Ganesh Chaturthi festivities and peak-hour traffic during the proposed timings of 10 am to 1 pm. Taking note of the arguments, the judge asked how many vehicles normally use the proposed routes and what difficulty would be caused by an additional 150 motorcycles.
It should be allowed everywhere, but you are creating obstructions,” the judge said. “Travelling with the national flag should not have any restrictions. The remarks were made while hearing lunch-motion petitions challenging the denial of permission for the rallies. “You can change the timings of the rallies if it is peak traffic time. Without modifying the timings or offering alternative options, you are straightaway rejecting permission,” the judge noted. The judge subsequently directed the Hyderabad police commissioner to grant permission for both rallies, reiterating that it was the govt’s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements and ensure that law and order was maintained. The petitions were accordingly disposed of.