Mangaluru: The police department has clarified that it wants the Mogaveerapatna Saradotsava procession to be held peacefully and without disruption, urging organisers and participants to cooperate with authorities and comply with the law.
In a statement ahead of the procession, the police said preventive measures had become necessary in view of incidents reported during last year’s procession, when cases were registered against certain individuals who are reportedly still involved in the event.
The department said the measures were intended to maintain public order and prevent a recurrence of disturbances. It stressed that the objective was not to obstruct the religious or cultural event but to ensure that the procession was conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
Police agree to organisers’ request for a common bond
As part of the preventive arrangements, the police had asked organisers of the respective tableaux to execute preventive bonds. Initially, the department sought individual bonds from the organisers of each tableau as a precautionary measure to maintain peace during the procession.
However, the organisers subsequently approached the police commissioner’s office and requested that a single bond be accepted on behalf of all concerned instead of requiring separate bonds from each tableau organiser.
The police said they agreed to this request as a compromise, demonstrating their willingness to accommodate the organisers while ensuring that preventive safeguards were in place.
Despite the concession, the organisers reportedly refused to execute even a common bond. According to the police, they indicated that they would proceed as they wished without furnishing any bond and challenged the authorities to arrest them.
The department maintained that it had exercised restraint and made reasonable efforts to obtain the organisers’ cooperation before considering further action.
Police warn of preventive action under BNSS
The police have warned that appropriate legal action would be taken if any individual or group attempted to conduct the procession with the intention of creating disturbances or violating the law.
The department stated that preventive action would be initiated under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), as warranted by the circumstances, to maintain public peace and prevent untoward incidents.
The warning comes against the backdrop of concerns arising from last year’s procession and the police department’s stated intention to prevent a recurrence of similar situations.
Preventive bonds are among the legal measures that authorities may seek in appropriate circumstances to help ensure that individuals maintain peace and good behaviour. The police have indicated that their request was made in the interest of public order rather than to prevent the Saradotsava celebrations.
The department has also made it clear that the organisers’ refusal to furnish the proposed bond would not prevent the police from taking lawful preventive measures if the situation warranted such action.
Religious and cultural celebrations must remain peaceful
The police have appealed to the organisers and participants to cooperate with the authorities and ensure that the Mogaveerapatna Saradotsava procession is conducted responsibly.
The department emphasised that religious and cultural events should take place without disturbing public order. It said the preventive arrangements were intended to facilitate a peaceful procession and avoid situations that could lead to confrontations or other untoward incidents.
The authorities’ position is that organisers and participants must follow lawful directions and ensure that the procession proceeds within the framework of the law. Any attempt to create disturbances or violate legal requirements could invite appropriate action, depending on the circumstances.
With the Saradotsava procession approaching, the police have reiterated their preference for cooperation rather than confrontation. The department has urged all concerned to exercise restraint, respect the law and work towards ensuring that the celebrations pass off peacefully.
The police have reiterated that their priority is to maintain peace and public order while allowing the religious and cultural procession to take place in a lawful manner.