THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.24243 of 2009 ORDER: The petitioner is an Eidgahh Committee at Barkas area of Hyderabad. On the eve of the forthcoming Bakrid, it wants to arrange for collective prayers at Mysaram Football Ground owned by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in that area. Accordingly, an application was made to the authorities of the Police Department and the Corporation. This writ petition is filed with a prayer to direct the respondents to accord permission to the petitioner to offer prayers on 28.11.2009 at Mysaram Football ground. In the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, it is stated that similar permissions were accorded for the same place up to 2007 and no untoward incident has taken place. The duration of the prayer is also said to be brief. Reference is made to the grant of permission at various public places in and around the city on such occasion. The Corporation filed a counter affidavit. It is stated that soon after receiving the application of the petitioner, the matter was verified with the Station House Officer, Chandrayanagutta and the latter has addressed a letter dated 07.11.2009 stating that in Barkas area, there are two groups viz., Ahle-Hadees group and Sunnatul group and in view of the differences between them, there is every likelihood of the eruption of breach of peace and tranquility and that the Inspector of Police has suggested that the permission be not accorded for Eid prayers. Learned Government Pleader for Home had obtained instructions from the Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Zone. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Standing Counsel for GHMC and the learned Government Pleader for Home. The grievance of the petitioner is about the inaction on the part of the respondents in according permission to offer prayers at a football ground. The duration of the prayer is said to be very brief. In the ordinary course of things, there should not be any difficulty, for the respondents in according permission for such prayers. As a matter of fact, the permission was accorded for that very ground up to the year 2007. Even for this year, for more than 25 public places, permission is accorded for collective prayers. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties, this Court specifically directed the learned Government Pleader to ensure that the Assistant Commissioner summons both the rival groups and to explore the possibility of arranging for prayers. Today, it is reported that the leaders of the two groups were called and they did not budge from their respective stands. There appears to be some difference as to the manner of offering prayers and in certain cases, these differences led to violent protests also. In this scenario, this Court finds it difficult to accede to the request of the petitioner. Offering of prayers is a spiritual activity and utmost peace and tranquility in the surroundings is needed. Existence of even small possibility of eruption of law and order would not only result in several disturbances but also would take away the very serenity at the time of prayers. Therefore, the writ petition is dismissed. It is however directed that in case, the petitioner arranges for prayer at any other place, the police shall accord adequate protection to their group. There shall be no order as to costs. _________ 25.11.2009 Note: Issue C.C. by tomorrow. (B/o) JSU THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.24243 of 2009 Date: 25.11.2009 JSU