The High Court of Delhi has given its nod for a two-day national seminar based on the theme “Understanding Fascism in the context of present India,” while directing the organisers to ensure that it was held in a ‘peaceful’ atmosphere, without any untoward incident.
The Single-Judge Bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the verdict on Friday, while dismissing a petition filed by Gade Inna Reddy and Dr Mondru Francis Gopinath.
The petitioners had challenged the Delhi Police order of March 9, which denied them permission to hold the seminar two days before its schedule.
They contended that they were members of ‘Bharat Bachao,’ a collective of scholars, social activists, advocates and politicians, who wished to ‘voice’ their opinions about issues pertaining to the society at large.
The plea sought permission to conduct the national seminar at Harikishan Singh Surjit Bhavan at IP Estate on March 11 and 12.
The High Court, while keeping in view the ‘apprehension’ of Delhi Police regarding some mishappening during the event, directed the organisers to compile a list of invitees with complete details of their residence and identity cards and submit the same to the concerned SHO.
The Single-Judge Bench further directed the petitioners to provide contact number of a responsible person of the organisation to enable the police authorities to have a contact in respect of the two-day seminar.
While observing that the parties needed to cooperate with each other for holding of the event in a peaceful atmosphere, the High Court directed the organisers to ensure that there was no cause of any untoward incident from either the Organising Committee, or the participants.
Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves submitted that apart from 10 keynote speakers mentioned in the petition, other participants were strictly invited on invitation basis.
The Counsel representing the Delhi Police submitted that the anxiety of police authorities would be satisfied if certain information was provided to them, such as providing a list of such persons.
Gonsalves then handed over the contact details of petitioners to the police authorities.
(Case title: Gade Inna Reddy and Anr vs Government of NCT Delhi and Ors)