Cops play spoilsport in Asad’s plans

Hyderabad MP denied permission to hold a public meeting in Bengaluru

Hyderabad: The Bengaluru police denied permission to Asaduddin Owaisi, the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party chief, to hold a public meeting as part of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections. He was scheduled to address a meeting on Tuesday.

Undeterred by the denial of permission by the police which cited that his visit may lead to law and order issue, the party leadership stated that it would go ahead with the meeting. AIMIM MLA Ahmed bin Abdulla Balala who was in Bengaluru as part of election campaign said that being a registered political party, the AIMIM has every right to carry on its legitimate activities and denial of permission amounts to infringement of freedom of expression.

“The party would challenge the denial before the court of law and with the Karnataka State Election Commission,” he said. The leader alleged that the ruling Congress government was misusing powers and using police machinery to thwart the huge gathering for public meeting and entry of Asaduddin. The government had done it thrice during this year, since February, as it was afraid of its fate in the BBMP polls, he alleged.

The party which was fielding 40 candidates in the BBMP elections reiterated that it would organise election campaign. Additional Commissioner of Police (East) P Harishekaran clarified that the permission was denied based on an Intelligence report that Asaduddin’s visit could disturb peace in the city.

In an earlier occasion in February, the Bengaluru police had first granted and then revoked permission for MIM chief’s public meeting. The MIM moved the Karnataka High Court against the permission withdrawal. “The notice has pained me as an Indian, who can speak in the Parliament but not in Bengaluru. I have cases against me and I am innocent until proven guilty,” Asaduddin said.