The Telangana High Court on 26.08.2020, made it clear that it cannot give permission to the Muharram procession in the city on 30 August (Sunday). The Court delivered the judgment on a petition filed by the Fathima Seva Dal, an organization involved in the arrangement of the grand procession of Muharram and its rituals in the city.
Arguments of the Petitioner
The petition urged the Court to give permission to carry out the procession. The petitioner also prayed for the involvement of an elephant as it is a customary ritual. He informed me that all precautionary measures would be followed. The view of the COVID-19 pandemic would be kept in mind. The petitioner’s counsel was Panduranga Rao. He appealed to issue necessary directions to the Hyderabad city police commissioner. He appealed to the Court to allow the procession. The petitioner said that the Bibi-Ka-Alam procession would take place on Sunday. The procession would take place from Dabeerpura till Chaderghat. They also said to the Court that they would transport elephants. The elephants will be used in the procession from the neighbouring states. They urged the Court to pass necessary directions to the state government. They also urged the Court to pass necessary directions to the police department.
Observation of the Court
The High Court observed that the Supreme Court had dismissed a similar petition. The petition was seeking permission to issue directions on the Muharram procession. In view of the Supreme Court decision, it is not acceptable. It will not be appropriate to issue directions on a similar petition.
It was made clear by the Court that all such processions and gatherings would be prohibited. The Court should follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The guidelines are in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision of the Court
The High Court suggested that any such issues related to temples or mosques can be resolved as per the need.
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