The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday will be hearing a petition seeking to stop the Hindutva groups’ mahapanchayat proposed to be held in Purola town amidst rising anti-Muslim tensions.
A mahapanchayat is scheduled to happen in Uttarakhand, announced by the Hindutva groups on Thursday, June 15.
A petition filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) to prevent the proposed mahapanchayat was mentioned before the Supreme Court vacation bench this morning on June 14th. As a response, the apex court refused to entertain the plea seeking relief and directed the petitioners to approach the High Court.
The petition was heard by two judged bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah while it was mentioned in the Supreme court by Advocate Sharukh Alam.
Moreover, the bench mentioned in the order that the petitioner is free to avail themself and approach other remedies available in law.
Purola town in Uttarakhand and its adjacent areas have been facing anti-Muslim tensions over an alleged case of abduction of a girl by two youths – a Muslim and a Hindu – on May 26, which is called by Hindutva groups as “love jihad”.
Posters bearing the name of ‘Devbhoomi Raksha Sangathan’ – a Hindutva organisation were pasted on the shutters of shops owned by Muslim traders, threatening them to vacate the shops and towns before the mahapanchayat on June 15 or face consequences.
Meanwhile, the Uttarkashi district administration on Wednesday refused permission for the mahapanchayat.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Devanand Sharma said prohibitory orders under Section 144 will remain in force till June 19. Section 144 has been imposed in Purola as there could be an attempt by people to disrupt peace, he said.
District Magistrate of Uttarkashi Abhishek Rohilla said, “The permission for the proposed mahapanchayat to be held on June 15 has been denied.”Speaking exclusively to ANI, Uttarakhand, Director General of Police (DGP), Ashok Kumar said that no one will be given permission to break the law, over the proposed mahapanchayat.
