Bombay HC allows Uddhav-led Sena to hold Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park

Edited by: Divya Thearia

23 September 2022(New Delhi): The Bombay High Court on Friday allowed the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, to hold its annual Dussehra rally on October 5 at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park. The order is a major victory for the Thackeray camp, as the BMC, Mumbai’s civic body, had previously denied the party permission to hold the rally.

Why had earlier BMC refused permission to Thackeray camp?

Despite the fact that the BMC order was a “clear abuse of the process of law and bona fide,” a division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and Kamal Khata allowed the Thackeray-led party to use the ground from October 2 to October 6, while requesting that it maintain law and order. On September 21, the BMC denied permission to the Thackeray camp, quoting a similar application filed by MLA Sada Sarvankar of the rival Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and stating that granting permission to one faction would cause law and order problems, as suspected by local police.

What did Desai say on Thackeray’s victory?

‘Dussehra mela is for all who believe in Hindutva, and the thoughtful messages are propagated by Uddhav Thackeray,’ petitioner Anil Desai said. Desai stated that Uddhav Thackeray was pleased with the Bombay High Court’s decision. When asked if Thackeray’s victory in court would change his fortunes, Desai replied, ‘Let’s hope for the best, and truth will always prevail.’

Shiv Sena workers celebrated the victory

Shiv Sena workers celebrate after Bombay HC allows the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction to hold the Dussehra rally on October 5. “Our faith in the judiciary stands vindicated. For the last many years, Dussehra rally has been taking place at ‘Shiv Tirtha’, but this time attempt was made through the shinde faction and BJP to create obstacles. Thankfully, the court rejected it,” said sena secretary Vinayak Raut.