Plea in Bombay HC for Chandrashekhar Azad's freedom

Mumbai: A petition has been filed in the Bombay high court against the detention of Chandrashekhar Azad, the chairman of the Bhim Army. The petition alleged that the government is violating Mr Azad’s fundamental rights by not allowing him to attend the function commemorating the Battle of Koregaon at Bhima-Koregaon. The petitioner, the Pune district president of the Bhim Army, also challenged the denial of permission by the state to conduct a public meeting at SSPMS Ground near Bhima-Koregaon.

The petition has been filed by Dutta Balbhim Pol, a Right to Information activist who professes to fight for the rights of the poor and Scheduled Caste communities. The petition stated that on December 30, the Bhim Army had planned to organise a public meeting at 4 pm at SSPMS Ground near the RTO office in Pune called the ‘Bhima Koregaon Sangharsh Mahasabha’. Dalit leaders and scholars of history and literature such as Rajratan Ambedkar, Amorl Meetkari, Sarfaraz Shaikh and Mr Azad were to deliver speeches at the event.

Mr Pol stated that several applications to the state government were made to obtain permission to conduct public meeting but no reply was given till Satur-day and that his organisation has spent a huge amount of money for the public meeting. He also stated that on Saturday he came to know via TV that the police had rejected his permission.

The petition stated that no hate speeches would be delivered in the meeting and scholars would only address the issues of the downtrodden.

Stating that the organisation would take care that no public law and order would be disturbed, the petition also mentioned that on Saturday, the Mumbai police had also refused to allow a cultural programme to be held at Jambori Maidan in Worli.

The petition stated that state has not merely put Mr Azad under house arrest but also violated his fundamental rights. It also said that due to the “illegal acts of the state government”, many workers and volunteers were arrested and, therefore, it appears that the police has curtailed their rights. Advocate Nitin Satpute, who represented Mr Pol, told The Asian Age that Justice C.V. Bhadang will hear the petition on Monday.   

Dalit Panthers hold rasta roko
Dalit Youth Panther worker held rasta roko in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday in eastern suburbs of Mumbai demanding the release of BHIM army chief Chandrashekhar Azad. The protestors had blocked the Eastern Express highway for a while. They also waved blue flags and slogan in support of Azad. Later, the police finally managed to control the protest.

Nilesh Mohite, chief of Dalit Youth Panther told the Asian Age that, “Many Dalit organisations exist in the state and they have supported Mr Azad through social media. Some of them posted messages on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp but only Dalit Youth Panther have protested demanding the release of Mr Azad.”

“After completion of MP Ramdas Athavale’s programme, we had blocked Eastern Express Highway for around 25 minutes near Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar at Ghatkopar. We wrapped up rasta roko after watching police force began to gather,” said Mr Mohite.

“Dalit Youth Panther will attend Bhima-Koregaon function on Monday,” said Mr Mohite.

Mr Azad, on Friday, claimed that he was put under house arrest by the Mumbai police citing security concerns and absence of permission for his rally scheduled on Saturday.

On Friday, a team of Dindoshi police had arrived outside Hotel Manali and allegedly asked Mr Azad to abort his plan to hold a rally in Worli. Although, the police have not granted permission for holding the rally, he is determined to conduct one.

The police, however, denied the claims made by Mr Azad. “Mr Azad is neither under house arrest nor has he been arrested. The permission for the rally has not been granted yet,” said Manjunath Singe, Mumbai police spokesperson.  

On Sunday, Mr Azad left the city to attend Bhima-Koregaon event along with his Bhim Army workers.