Bombay HC nod for Savarkar concert at Shivaji Park

The Bombay high court on Wednesday allowed a cultural association to organise a musical function at Shivaji Park to mark the centenary of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar’s escape from the Andaman jail in 1910.

“If norms can be relaxed to celebrate the death anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, then why not for Veer Savarkar? Both were great heroes,” remarked justice SJ Kathawala.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Venus Cultural Association, seeking permission to celebrate the historic event on May 30. The petition was filed after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) initially denied permission for the function following an order of the high court which had directed the state and the BMC to notify Shivaji Park as a silence zone.

A division bench of justices Kathawala and RG Ketkar said the function can be allowed if all norms of the noise pollution act are followed.