The Bombay high court on Friday rejected an intervention application of Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar belonging the Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde's faction for a Dussehra rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
The court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to grant permission to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction to conduct the Dusshera rally (or 'melawa' as is it known) at Shivaji park on October 5.
The high court directed the local police station to make sufficient arrangements to avoid any law and order trouble and asked the department to do a video-recording of the event.
Soon after, celebrations began among supporters of the Thackeray group
A day ago, the court had allowed the Thackeray faction to amend its petition to challenge the BMC's decision refusing the nod and posted the matter for Friday.
A division bench of Justice Ramesh D Dhanuka and Justice Kamal Khata heard the petition.
The BMC had earlier refused to give permission to either factions to hold the rally, based on local police's report that said the event may cause law and order problems in the area.
The Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena has been holding the rally on Dussehra every year since 1966. The event, being held after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, assumes significance this year in the wake of the split in the Sena.
{{/usCountry}}The Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena has been holding the rally on Dussehra every year since 1966. The event, being held after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, assumes significance this year in the wake of the split in the Sena.
{{/usCountry}}In August, Thackeray had said that whatever happens, he would hold a Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park
"Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Shiv Sainiks from all over the state will reach for this rally. We do not know these technical things whether the government will give permission or not. We will hold the rally. It doesn't matter to us whether others will hold rallies or not. Shiv Sena has grown not by traitors but by the blood of Shiv Sainiks," Thackeray had said during a party address.
Dussehra will be celebrated on October 5.
(With agency inputs)
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.