Shivaji Park as silence zone upsets political parties

MUMBAI - The Bombay High Court’s interim order Wednesday declaring the historic Shivaji Park, the biggest playground in the heart of Mumbai, as a silence zone has met with criticism from political parties who wonder where will they organise “rallies in Mumbai now?”

A division bench of Justice F.I. Rebello and Justice Mridula Bhatkar delivered the interim order over a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by city-based Veckom Trust and Dadar residents Sharad Dixit and J.D. Udeshi.

While declaring Shivaji Park a silence zone, the court said loudspeakers will be allowed in the park during functions related to the Republic Day Jan 26, Maharashtra Day May 1 and death anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar Dec 6.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said it was a harsh decision. “While I completely respect the court’s decision, there has to be a way out,” he said.

The Shiv Sena, on the other hand, reserved its comments. “We will study the copy of the judgment carefully and will be able to say anything only after that,” said party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe.

Party workers of the Congress also felt that they had been left with no ground in which to hold their political functions.

“Shivaji Park has been a meeting place for various movements in the past. A lot of historic movements have been initiated from here. Now that it has been declared as a silence zone, it makes me wonder if there is any such place left,” said Hussain Dalvai, the party spokesperson.

“I do not mean to disrespect the court’s decision, but there should be an appeal in the Supreme Court against this order,” Dalvai added.

Agreed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Madhav Bhandari. He said political rallies have already been banned at Girgaum Chowpatty and Azad Maidan - both in south Mumbai. “Where do we organise political rallies in Mumbai now? Does this mean, rallies are to be banned?” he asked.

Bhandari said this move is strange for a democratic nation like India.