HC relaxes rules, allows Veer Savarkar function at Shivaji Park

Celebrations to commemorate the centenary of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar’s escape from the Andaman Jail can take place at Shivaji Park on May 30, said the Bombay High Court.

Celebrations to commemorate the centenary of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar’s escape from the Andaman Jail can take place at Shivaji Park on May 30, said the Bombay High Court.

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Calling it a special case, the high court on Wednesday allowed for a music programme despite a previous order to declare the park a ‘silence zone’.

“If an exception can be carved out for Dr Ambedkar then why not for Savarkar? These [freedom fighters] are different kinds of heroes of the nation,” said Justice S.J. Kathawala.

A vacation bench of Justice Kathawala and Justice R.G. Ketkar allowed the function to be held on Sunday after Venus
Cultural Association, the organisers, said it will only be a three-hour function.

Venus had previously acquired permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to hold a two-day function using loud speakers.

However, the corporation later revoked the permission following a high court order on May 5 asking authorities to take steps to declare Shivaji Park a ‘silence zone’ as per the Pollution Control Regulations, 2000.

Venus then shifted the previous day’s venue to Ravindra Natya Mandir at Prabhadevi.

The court also granted permission considering that the organisers had been preparing for the function since one year.
While granting permission, the high court clarified that the exception is being made only for May 30.

The high court had passed an order on a PIL filed by Wecom Trust and two local residents.

The court had granted exemption for three days when functions can be held at Shivaji Park — January 26 (Republic Day), May 1 (Maharashtra Day) and December 6 (Dr Ambedkar Jayanti).