The Maharashtra government has announced that protests and demonstrations will be held at a designated section of Azad Maidan in Mumbai. This decision follows a Bombay High Court (HC) order instructing the state to regulate protest activities. The government will issue an official notification by April 2, 2025.
The court ruling came during a hearing on a 1997 petition filed by the Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens Association and others. The petitioners raised concerns about the disruptions caused by protests near Mantralaya. They requested a specific area for such activities to prevent disturbances in the locality.
The state had previously marked an area for protests after the court's ruling. However, the court asked the government to create proper regulations and officially notify the designated site.
Additional Government Pleader Abhay Patki informed the court that the state had finalised the norms under the Maharashtra Police Act. He stated that the designated site would help control the chaos caused by large gatherings.
During the hearing, Patki presented a notification and an affidavit to the court. The state expressed regret for the delay in issuing the notification. Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik were informed that the official notice would be published in the gazette within two weeks.
Petitioners’ lawyer Shailesh Naidu requested more time to review the documents. He said the petitioners needed to verify the exact location within Azad Maidan. The site is used for cricket matches, ongoing subway construction, and protests. He talked about the need for clear identification of the designated area to avoid future disputes.
Chief Justice Alok Aradhe stated that the 1997 petition had been pending for too long. He urged the petitioners to challenge the notification if they had any objections. The court expressed frustration over the delay in resolving the issue. It said that 28 years was a long time for such a case to remain open.
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