The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the State Police “to take necessary precautionary measures for maintaining peace in the city” during the five-day event of the American evangelist Benny Hinn.
Benny Hinn is scheduled to participate in a religious programme in Bangalore from January 15 to 19.
The court told the law enforcement agencies to “ensure that exercise of fundamental rights by any person is not impeded or interfered with by any motley crowd or any group of persons.”
The court took assurance from the Bangalore city unit of the Sri Rama Sene that “either they or others on their behalf do not propose to create any commotion or disturbance by themselves in the name of protesting as exercise of fundamental right.”
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice B.V. Nagarathna issued the directions disposing off a petition by Sri Rama Sene’s city unit questioning the Bangalore City Police’s inaction on its representation to restrain Benny Hinn from participating in the religious event as a similar congregation in 2005 had “disturbed peace” in the city. The court said that the petitioners and any other persons should not claim superior right to come in the way of exercise of fundamental rights of every other citizen, including the right to assemble and express their views.
The court appreciated the petitioners for promising that they would not create any commotion or disturbance.
Earlier, during the hearing, the Bench wanted to know “why the petitioners wanted to hold demonstration against this religious event and why they do not hold such a demonstration when thousands join for mass recital of the Bhagwad Gita.”
“India is a secular country. It has so many sects, languages, beliefs and religions as well as social and cultural groups. Tolerance is the need of the hour. We are shocked that the courts are used for these kinds of issues,” the Bench observed orally.
