Image courtesy: Mid-day.com
Flouting all rules and protocols, the Central Railway (CR) administration allowed a political party to hold a function for the release of a magazine, close to the memorial built for 26/11 victims and martyrs at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) on Wednesday.
However, the whole event turned out to be a political function, when Raj Thackeray unveiled the magazine and even made a speech. The occasion was the launch of 'Mee Maharashtracha Maharashtra Majha'.
MNS general secretary Shirish Parkar is expected to use the magazine as the party mouthpiece, and for propaganda against rival parties like Shiv Sena.
Half of the entrances leading to the platforms for long distance trains were blocked for the occasion. Chairs were laid out and a stage was set right outside the station manager's office. A red carpet was rolled out as well.
This is not all; the entire security detail at the CST premises was diverted to ensure that the event went off peacefully. Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel were posted at the venue, while the SRPF remained on standby duty. But the GRP and RPF officials denied that any additional security arrangements were made. Even vehicles of the MNS office bearers and MLAs were parked freely in the no-parking zones.
Furthermore, banners, posters and flags were draped on poles and structures leading to the entrance. Normally, the railway administration does not allow political functions to be organised inside its premises.
Sources claimed that the division officials initially denied permission, but later agreed after an AGM of the Central Railways intervened.
The Other Side CR CPRO Srinivas Mudgerikar denied that any special arrangements or permission were granted to the MNS for the launch.
"Permission was sought for holding a felicitation function for the 26/11 victims and the administration does grant them on a case-to-case basis. Similarly, we gave permission at the appropriate levels, after considering if there was any hindrance for the train movement or to the passengers," he said.
Parkar, in his clarification said, "I sought permission for both the felicitation, and the magazine's release. We finished the programme in just 22 minutes without causing any inconvenience to passengers."