The Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday denied permission to organise Dharma Sansad in Haridwar district's Roorkee. The decision was taken on a day after the Supreme Court's strong observations regarding the hate speeches made during a similar event in Haridwar last December.
Police said that precautionary measures including the imposition of prohibitory orders have been taken in Roorkee.
"Section 144 has been imposed in Dada Jalalpur and nearby 5 km area. All programs have been restricted. No permission was taken for this programme (Mahapanchayat). 33 people associated with this program have been bound down under CrPC 107/16," said Haridwar District Magistrate VS Pandey.
A right-wing group had sought permission from police to organise a religious conclave in Roorkee on Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had asked the Uttarakhand government what steps it has taken regarding a proposed Dharam Sansad in Roorkee and directed the Chief Secretary to place on record the state’s position that there will not be any “untoward situation” or “unacceptable statements”.
“We will hold the Secretary (Home), Chief Secretary and the IG concerned responsible if something untoward happens despite your assurance. We are putting it on record now… You know what are the preventive measures to be taken. Don’t make us say again and again,” a bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Abhay S Oka and CT Ravikumar told Uttarakhand Deputy Advocate General Jatinder Kumar Sethi.
Meanwhile, media reports said that key members of the Roorkee Dharam Sansad were taken into police custody on Tuesday Shiv Mandir in Dada Jalalpur where preparations were underway for the mahapanchayat.
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