The Telangana High Court refused to give directions to the State Government to permit taking out a procession on the eve of Muharram. The HC had earlier refused similar permission for Vinayaka Chaviti celebrations.
The court observed during a hearing on Wednesday that it had earlier considered the issue, but in the wake of a Supreme Court judgment on a similar issue, the court has decided to deny permission. Earlier, the court had also rejected permission for the celebrations on the eve of Vinayaka Chaviti. It made clear that the court is more concerned about the lives of citizens than religious beliefs.
Fatima Seva Dal, a religious service organization, sought the intervention of the court for taking out a procession on August 30, on the eve of Muharram. The petitioner said the procession is to be taken out from Bibi Ka Alam, Dabirpura in the Old City to Chadarghat.
Counsel for the petitioner Panduranga Rao submitted to the court to accord permission considering the age-old tradition. The petitioners also said that they would bear the costs of bringing elephants from other states for the procession.
However, the court denied intervening and issuing any directions to the State Government. The court reminded the petitioners to strictly follow the guidelines of the Union Home Ministry, banning public meetings, processions.
