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Court refuses to cancel Shabri Kumbh Mela |
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Saturday, 11 February 2006 |
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 The Gujarat High Court has declined to cancel the three-day Shabri Kumbh Mela in Dangs district from 11 February 2006. Instead it has asked the state government to maintain adequate security in the area to prevent any untoward incident. Justice C K Buch, while hearing a petition filed by Samson Christian of the All India Christian Council (aicc) and two others seeking cancellation of mela in view of law and order problem, issued notices to the Central and state governments. The court stated, "It will not be proper or just for the court to pass any order adverse to the organisers of the mela."
Advocates Aparna Bhatt and R D Raval representing aicc submitted that the religious mela enjoyed the support of the state government. The two argued that the development grants meant for local panchayats had been diverted for developing roads and creating infrastructure at the mela site. They argued that local residents including minorities were apprehending another post-Godhra like incident as the organisers had claimed that nearly five lakh people would be gathering for the mela. The petitioner alleged this was a "state government sponsored mela" organised in the name of some religious parties and as per the Constitution, no state government could sponsor any such mela. Appearing on behalf of the state government, Arun Oza submitted a letter of Union Home Secretary VK Duggal addressed to the Chief Secretary, Gujarat, expressing satisfaction over the security arrangements.
(Source: The Times of India)
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Last Updated ( Friday, 20 November 2009 )
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