Telangana High Court issues notices over denial of BRS SilverJubilee meeting permission

The Telangana High Court issued notices to the State Government and Hyderabad police over the denial of permission for the BRS Silver Jubilee public meeting. The Court sought an explanation on the grounds for rejection after the BRS challenged the decision, terming it arbitrary and a violation of democratic rights.

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday issued notices to the state government and Warangal Police Commissioner seeking their response in connection with the denial of permission for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s (BRS) silver jubilee public meeting proposed to be held at Elkathurthy near Warangal on April 27.

The Warangal unit of the BRS, which is the main Opposition party in the state, filed a petition before the court, seeking a directive to allow the event. The party informed the court that the meeting is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is a significant occasion marking 25 years of the party’s journey.

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The petitioners alleged that despite submitting two applications for permission, there was no response from the police authorities. Instead, they said, a circular was issued prohibiting public meetings and assemblies, which they claimed was aimed at stalling their event.

The BRS also apprised the court that party chief and former Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao, along with MLAs, MLCs, and other prominent party leaders and workers, would be attending the gathering.

During the hearing, the government pleader requested time to file a counter affidavit, citing concerns over the scale of the event. He informed the court that the meeting was planned over a vast area of approximately 1,300 acres and that permissions from farmers, parking arrangements, and law and order issues needed to be thoroughly reviewed.

However, the judge turned down the plea for more time, considering the concern raised by petitioner party for sufficient preparation time if the meeting is to proceed as scheduled. The court directed the Warangal Police to submit their response by April 17, and adjourned the matter to the same date for the next hearing.