Denied rally permission, Muslim outfit goes to HC

AHMEDABAD: A religious organization, Jamat-e-Islami Hind, moved Gujarat high court on Wednesday after the city police commissioner denied it permission to take out a rally to raise the issue of human rights and the recent atrocity on dalits in Una.
In its nationwide campaign on 'Peace and Humanity', Jamat's Gujarat unit had planned a rally on August 23 from Town Hall to Sardarbaug near Lal Darwaza, but police refused permission at the last moment.Jamat approached the HC, arguing that city police did not have the authority to stop freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right. The organization submitted that at most police was empowered to regulate the rally and address any problem created.
When the hearing took place, the high court asked the city police whether law and order situation was so bad in the state that they cannot manage or regulate a small function. Since Jamat has postponed its rally till September 1, the HC has asked Jamat to file a fresh application for police permission and directed city police to decide on conditions and regulation measures for the event.