Bengaluru protest rules came into focus on Friday after Bengaluru Police allowed members and supporters of the CJP to hold a Tiranga march from Town Hall to the Quit India Memorial, but barred slogans, protest displays and any symbolic demonstration along the route.
The march was permitted between 5 pm and 6.30 pm after the organisers agreed to conditions citing a Karnataka High Court order that designates Freedom Park as the site for protests, processions, rallies and similar activities in Bengaluru. Police security was deployed as the march proceeded from Town Hall.
According to the organisers, the event had originally been scheduled to begin at Town Hall at 4 pm and end at the Quit India Memorial. The revised permission allowed the foot march to go ahead, but prohibited the organisers from holding a protest or symbolic protest at Town Hall, along the route or near the memorial.
A copy of the police permission shared by the organisers said participants could not raise slogans against any political party, organisation, community or individual. They were also barred from displaying protest placards, banners or other material that could disturb public peace.
The organisers were directed to ensure that the march did not obstruct public or vehicular traffic. The permission further required them to comply strictly with the High Court order restricting protests and similar activities in Bengaluru to Freedom Park. It warned that legal action could follow if the conditions were violated while participants assembled near Town Hall, during the march or while concluding the event near the Quit India Memorial.
During the march, senior police officers reportedly warned participants after CJP members raised slogans against a political party. The officers asked them to continue peacefully and follow the conditions imposed for the event.
The march was organised in association with Jagruta Karnataka, AISA Karnataka and My Vote, My Right. The groups said it was being held in solidarity with CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka and spokesperson Saurav Das, who were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail on October 14.
According to the report, Das and Ranka were detained over alleged violations of their peace bonds and alleged trespassing into Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which has been denotified as a protest site. They had signed bonds requiring them to maintain peace for a year after being detained the previous week.
The Bengaluru march ended under the conditions set by the police. The permission document stated that further legal action could be initiated if participants breached the restrictions during any stage of the gathering.
