File photo of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray
The Shiv Sena can hold its annual Dussehra rally at Mumbai's iconic Shivaji Park but will have to follow noise pollution rules as the park falls in a silent zone, the Bombay High Court said today.
The Maharashtra government had told the court that the Sena, which is a part of the ruling coalition with the BJP, should be allowed to hold the rally.
The Shiv Sena has been approaching the High Court regularly since 2010 after Shivaji Park became a silent zone. After the BJP-Sena came to power, changes were made to the law to allow playgrounds to be used for political rallies.
At the Dussehra rally, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is likely to clarify on ties with the BJP amid strained ties.
The Sena last week announced that it is dismantling the alliance with the BJP for a crucial municipal election in a Mumbai suburb.
This was after the state government provided protection, despite the Sena's protests, to former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri when his book launched in Mumbai on Monday.
The Sena was furious after Mr Fadnavis and the BJP condemned an attack by its activists on Sudheendra Kulkarni, who organized the book launch.
The party has vowed not to allow any engagement with Pakistan as long as it supports terror. Last week, its objections forced the cancellation of a Ghulam Ali concert despite chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP making it clear that the singer was welcome to perform.