Mumbai: Reflecting on the nation’s progress over 78 years of independence, the Bombay High Court remarked that Indians have become sufficiently enlightened to understand the need for self-imposed speech restraints. With this view, the court approved the Sakal Hindu Samaj’s proposal to host a Gudi Padwa function in Malegaon on March 30, 2025.
The ceremony will feature the awarding of the “Hindu Veer Puraskar” to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is notably implicated in the 2008 bomb blast incident in Malegaon. While permitting the event, the court stressed that all speakers must avoid remarks that could target any religion or provoke religious tensions. Strict conditions were imposed on the event’s scheduling and content to prevent any inflammatory discourse.
Rahul Bachhav, the coordinator of Sakal Hindu Samaj, had sought permission to organize the function at Yashshree Compound, Satana Naka in Malegaon from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. However, a police report had initially led to a denial due to concerns over potential law and order issues, particularly citing the inflammatory history of speakers like Milind Ekbote.
The court underscored India’s remarkable advancements in technology, space, economy, and diplomacy over the decades, advocating that genuine wisdom lies in nurturing harmony and respecting religious diversity. It emphasized that a “live and let live” approach is essential for peaceful coexistence.
In response to the court’s conditions, Subhash Jha, representing the petitioner, assured that no inflammatory speeches would be made. Meanwhile, the government’s representative insisted that the event must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure public peace. Notably, the court observed that Malegaon had enjoyed a peaceful environment for over 17 years.
Considering all factors, the HC adjusted the event’s timing, directing that it be held from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm rather than the evening hours originally requested. The organizing committee is required to submit an undertaking to the Additional Superintendent of Police, Malegaon, by 6:00 pm on March 29, guaranteeing that no speech will incite religious discord.
Additionally, the police were instructed to establish a designated route to the venue to avoid congested areas and to ensure robust security measures. Any breach of the stipulated conditions or the law would be met with strict action, and the authorities have been granted discretion to levy special security charges if necessary.
The court’s decision, which overrides the administration’s March 25 denial, permits the event to proceed under the new conditions with a maximum duration of four hours. The report also pointed out that Gudi Padwa on March 30 is closely followed by Ramzan Eid on March 31 and other religious observances in April, further emphasizing the importance of communal harmony, especially given Malegaon’s history of communal tension and the involvement of an accused from the 2008 blasts.