Delhi Police Denies Permission for AIMPLB Protest at Jantar Mantar, Demonstration Postponed
AIMPLB says police cited expected large turnout and appeals to participants not to travel to Delhi
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has postponed its proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar scheduled for September 17 after the Delhi Police reportedly declined permission for the gathering.
The protest was planned as part of the Board’s campaign concerning issues including the Uniform Civil Code and Muslim personal law. The AIMPLB had earlier announced that the campaign would begin with a programme at Jantar Mantar on September 17.
According to AIMPLB spokesperson and campaign convenor Dr Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, the organisers approached the Parliament Street Police Station three times and assured the Station House Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police that the number of participants would remain within the permitted limit.
The Board said the police maintained that the proposed programme had been widely publicised on social media and that a large number of people from Delhi and other parts of the country were expected to attend.
The AIMPLB expressed its disagreement with the decision, maintaining that holding a peaceful demonstration is a constitutional and legal right.
Despite its objections, the Board appealed to people from Delhi and other states who had planned to attend the programme not to travel to the capital for the September 17 demonstration.
Dr Ilyas also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to those who had made preparations to attend the programme.
The Board said it plans to organise a larger programme at another venue in Delhi in the coming days. Details regarding the venue and date will be announced separately.
The proposed programme had been expected to attract participants from Delhi and several other states. The postponement follows the reported denial of permission by Delhi Police for the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar.