In a swift sequence of events, Kangra and Mandi returning officers cancelled permission to yoga guru Baba Ramdev to hold yoga camps in Kangra and Chamba on April 28 and April 29, respectively, on April 27 (late Sunday evening).
The organisation holding the camps, the Swabhiman Trust, filed a petition against the orders in the Himachal Pradesh high court. On Monday afternoon, the court refused to stay the ROs' orders.
Talking to HT, chief electoral officer Narinder Chauhan said the ban was imposed after strict instructions from the Election Commission of India on April 26 on two issues. The first was to go strict on surrogate expenditure and the second not to allow programmes like of yoga camps or shivirs by any organisations and NGOs that are seen to work for any political candidate or party.
"The ban on the said programmes of Ramdev in Himachal Pradesh is part of ban put by ECI till May 16, after Indore and Lucknow," he added.
On Monday, the Himachal Pradesh high court, while rejecting the plea of the Swabhiman Trust, said "No prima facie case is made out to stay the orders of the ROs."
{{/usCountry}}On Monday, the Himachal Pradesh high court, while rejecting the plea of the Swabhiman Trust, said "No prima facie case is made out to stay the orders of the ROs."
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BOX OF DATES
Public gathering of Baba Ram Dev that been had scheduled
April 28 - Kangra
April 29- Chamba and Rehan (Kangra)
QUOTE
The court cannot permit politics in the name of yoga camps
Himachal Pradesh high court