The Gujarat High Court has recently expressed satisfaction with the State Police’s safety efforts to prevent occurrences such as mob lynching and communal violence during the festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Parshuram Jayanti, as well as other religious or political processions.
A bench of acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav was satisfied with the affidavit filed by the State government listing its preparations for preventing any kind of communal disturbances during the celebrations of these festivals, as well as religious or political processions.
“We are pleased with the State Authorities’ actions. However, we are confident that the State Authorities will continue to issue similar instructions in all such festivals,” the bench stated in its order.
The order was passed after the State, through Government Pleader Manisha Lavkumar Shah, submitted an affidavit outlining various measures such as instructions issued to religious leaders, action proposed against history sheeters, identifying sensitive areas during the procession, and a prohibition on the use of loudspeakers, among other things, during such processions.
The affidavit stated that authorities will utilise drones, CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, and other devices to videotape the entire procession and keep track of troublemakers.
“Directions are issued to keep reserves at strategic locations well equipped with vehicles, lathi-helmets, body protectors, tear smoke ammunitions, rubber bullets, VARUN (water cannon), VAJRA (automatic tear smoke launch vehicle), communication systems under the leadership of PSI/PI/Dy.SP/SP to respond to any incident and to take control of the situation,” the affidavit highlighted.
According to the affidavit, the State has issued instructions to cooperate with religious leaders over numerous events planned as part of the celebrations, as well as to conduct a complete threat assessment.
“Instructions have been issued to take preventive measures against criminals with prior criminal records and histories, as well as potential headstrong individuals who would cause trouble. Additional instructions have been issued to identify the places of congregation and procession routes that are common for both the procession and festivities of Eid-Ul-Fitr and Parshuram Jayanti,” the State stated.
It was also said that the State has directed religious leaders, community leaders, elected people’s representatives, members of peace committees, members of moholla committees, and other eminent individuals to work together to keep peace and order throughout the celebrations. It was proposed that the local police station key community leaders at strategic areas to prevent disputes between communities.
“In order to prevent the spread of rumours and the posting of objectionable content, as well as to take firm action against offenders, the Cyber Crime Police Stations have been geared up to monitor social media platforms and remove objectionable contents in collaboration with stakeholders. Instructions have been issued to all organisers and participants not to use objectionable content during processions via Public Address System, DJs, and Loud Speakers,” the State added.
Aside from this, the State has deployed the necessary number of troops, including police, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Home Guards, and Gramme Rakshak Dals, at various religious sites and communally sensitive spots, as well as increased Police Patrols in key districts.
Furthermore, the State informed the bench that from 2018 to the present, Gujarat has witnessed seven such communal riots.
Concerning the most recent riots in Vadodara and Gir-Somnath during the Ram Navami violence this year, the State informed the Court that four criminal cases had been filed in Vadodara and two in Gir-Somnath district. It was also stated that 67 people were arrested in Vadodara and 97 in Gir-Somnath.
