Mumbai Police took action against nine people found inflicting self-injuries during the December 14 Moharam procession; magistrate court fined them Rs 1,200 each; no child was injured during the procession, the Bombay high court was informed on Tuesday.
Mumbai Police took action against nine people found inflicting self-injuries during the December 14 Moharam procession; magistrate court fined them Rs 1,200 each; no child was injured during the procession, the Bombay high court was informed on Tuesday.
Deputy commissioner of police Sanjay Burkund filed an affidavit in the court stating that before the procession police stations had been directed to ensure that those participating in the procession didn't inflict injuries on themselves. Accordingly, the procession was video-graphed and appropriate action taken against those found guilty.
A division bench of justices VM Kanade and Revati Mohite Dhere reiterated its earlier stand saying: "Our concern is only about injuries to children; we don't want to interfere in religious rites. However, at the same time, we don't want children to be injured."
The court made these observations after hearing a suo-moto public interest litigation (PIL) that objected to children taking part in Moharam procession getting injured. Last year the court had converted a petition filed by one Faizal Banaraswala (44) and Abdul Rehman Quereshi, which had sought a ban on the procession as children taking part in it were getting injured by sharp weapons.
It had raised concerns about people contracting diseases as the same knife/small sword was being used by many (indulging in self-flagellation). The PIL also claimed that the practice (matam) was prohibited under the newly enacted legislation, Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifices and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.
The court which had then urged community leaders not to include children in the procession, converted the petition into a suo-moto PIL after interveners objected to the petitioners moving court. The court then clarified that matam was not covered under the Anti-Superstition Act.
The court has now directed the interveners to file their reply by February 9. It's expected to pass some guidelines to be followed during the procession.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}