Order to cancel Savarkar event at Shivaji Park challenged in High Court

The court had earlier declined to grant any relief to Venus cultural association after the original petitioners Wecom Trust informed the court that the corporation has already revoked the permission granted to the association. Based on a public interest litigation filed by Wecom Trust, the court had earlier this month declared the park a silent zone after it was pointed out that the park is actually a playground which is being misused for various purposes.

Venus, in their challenge, has claimed that they got permission from BMC on May 5 and all preparations for the celebrations had started way back in January. They claim that even the corporation was not aware of the court order when it granted permission.

The plea also points out that as per the HC order, the corporation has to notify the park as silent zone. “So till the notification is issued the court order can’t be implemented,” said association lawyer Anil Singh.

The association has also urged the court to consider this as a special case and also sought a clarification on the earlier order declaring the park a silent zone.

The association had recently moved court seeking permission to host a two-day programme at the spot. The association wants to celebrate the centenary of two events in connection with freedom fighter Veer Savarkar—his legendary escape from the Cellular Jail in Andaman and the famous song penned by him “Sagara Pran Talamala”. The petitioners stated that as Savarkar lived and died at a “stone’s throw” distance from the park, the celebration should be held there. The case will come up for hearing on Wednesday.