Maharashtra CM Fadnavis clarified that the specific route demanded by the party posed law and order concerns. Several MNS workers were detained during the rally on Tuesday
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Photo.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on Tuesday that permission had indeed been granted for a rally in the neighbouring Mira Bhayander area, in which Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders intended to participate. However, the MNS insisted on a specific route that posed significant law and order challenges, claimed Fadnavis, according to news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, ahead of the planned rally in Mira Bhayander – intended to counter an earlier protest by traders against the slapping of a food stall owner for not speaking Marathi – police detained Avinash Jadhav, the Thane and Palghar head of MNS, along with several other party activists on Tuesday, officials informed.
However, the rally itself was originally proposed by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti in the Mira Bhayander area.
Speaking to reporters at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan premises regarding the issue, Fadnavis clarified, "There is no opposition to holding a rally. It was difficult to give permission for the sought route. Police requested them to change the route, but the organisers were adamant on a particular route."
The Chief Minister further said "It could cause traffic or a stampede-like situation. In such a situation, police try to convince and offer an alternate route. We are in a democracy; everyone has the right to hold rallies."
He also added, "If they ask for permission for a proper route, we will give permission today and even tomorrow also. Another organisation held a rally from the route approved by the police, but these people remained adamant on a particular route."
Addressing claims that Mira Road in Thane was being used as a testing ground for new political experiments, the Chief Minister asserted that a Marathi person has a "large heart."
"The Marathi people, during attacks on the country, cared about the country and did not remain selfish. A Marathi person cannot possess shallow thoughts," he said.
Moreover, referring to the sequence of events, Fadnavis mentioned that permission for holding a gathering was sought late Monday night and was still granted, reported PTI.
"But when it came to the rally, they were pushing for a particular route. If permission was given, there might have been a law and order situation. For the last so many years, we all are holding rallies and these are always done after consultation with police," he concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)
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