Police deny dargah charge on Independence Day event

NEW DELHI: The management of Dargah Shah-e-Mardan in Jor Bagh, Anjuman-e-Haideri (AEH), alleged on Saturday that Delhi Police was stopping them from celebrating Independence Day at the dargah premises though they had clearance from NDMC. The police, however, denied the allegation, saying the function was scheduled to be held on disputed land and they had been asked to maintain status quo as the case is in court.
The general secretary of AEH, Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, said they will be appealing to the home minister and the Prime Minister’s Office if they were not allowed to hold the function.The organisation plans to hold a Jashn-E-Azadi Mushaira on the eve of Independence Day which will continue till midnight. They also plan to screen the PM’s speech and then hoist the national flag.
“We have strict instructions to maintain status quo as ordered by the Delhi high court, and that’s why the area is being barricaded and no one is being allowed to hold any functions there,” said DCP (south) Romil Baaniya. “If the organization wants to hold the function there, it can seek permission from the Delhi high court.” The police said the organization was free to hold the function anywhere else.
The police officers said many entities, including the DDA, NDMC, AEH and the RWA of BK Dutt Colony, were parties to the dispute. The secretary of the B.K.Dutt Colony RWA, Santosh Mahajan, said the matter is in court. “We are also planning to celebrate Independence Day but we will do it in front of our office. They can also celebrate it elsewhere rather than changing the status quo on the disputed land,” he said.