New Delhi, 17 September (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has questioned the Delhi Police on how the Karni Sena could be completely barred from holding a protest at Jantar Mantar against reservation and University Grants Commission (UGC) rules. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma raised the question while hearing a petition filed by the Karni Sena and addressing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, who appeared for the Delhi Police. The matter will next be heard on September 22.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for the petitioner said that the Delhi Police had initially granted permission for the protest to be held on September 20, but on September 15, it informed the organisation through a letter that permission had been denied.

The court then asked ASG Chetan Sharma how such an order could be passed. It questioned whether the police could deny permission merely on the assumption that a large number of people might gather. The court observed that it had clearly stated during the previous hearing that the police should permit the protest subject to appropriate conditions. The court noted that the protesters would remain at the designated site for a few hours and would not leave the protest venue, adding that the authorities could not simply refuse them permission to hold the demonstration.

Chetan Sharma, however, submitted that the Delhi Police had taken the decision in accordance with the orders and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.

He said Jantar Mantar is a highly sensitive area and that the Delhi Police had not denied permission only to the Karni Sena, but had also refused permission to other organisations. He further submitted that the Karni Sena has a substantial social-media following and that a large number of people could potentially turn up for the protest.

In response, the Karni Sena submitted that online viewership cannot necessarily be equated with the number of people who would actually arrive at Jantar Mantar. It also argued that the Delhi Police exercises considerable control over the area.

The court then asked Chetan Sharma whether permission for the protest could be granted at another location. Sharma responded that changing the venue could be considered. The court subsequently directed him to inform it about the matter by September 22.

Earlier, on September 7, the High Court had directed the Delhi Police to take a decision by September 14 on the Karni Sena’s request to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar against reservation and UGC rules. The Kshatriya Karni Sena wants to hold the demonstration at Jantar Mantar on September 20. The court had directed the organisation to submit its application to the police, following which the police were to decide on it by September 14 and communicate their decision to the organisation. The court had also said that the police could impose any conditions they deemed necessary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar