Ranchi Administration Urges Prior Permission for Rallies, Processions and Public Meetings

The Ranchi district administration has appealed to political parties, social organisations, institutions and citizens to obtain prior permission from the competent authority before organising public programmes such as protests, rallies, processions, demonstrations and public meetings.

The administration said organisers must follow the procedure prescribed by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Ranchi Sadar or Bundu and provide the necessary details of the proposed programme in advance. The move is aimed at ensuring proper arrangements for law and order, public safety and smooth traffic management.

The administration said it has frequently been observed that protests, demonstrations, processions, rallies and public meetings are organised at different locations without providing the administration with the required information beforehand. Such events can affect law and order and public safety and may also disrupt traffic, causing inconvenience to commuters.

While the Supreme Court has, through various judgments, recognised peaceful protests and demonstrations as part of citizens’ constitutional rights, the administration said such rights have to be exercised within the framework of applicable laws and valid directions issued by competent authorities. Public order, safety, traffic management and the rights of other citizens must also be taken into consideration.

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For public programmes such as demonstrations, processions, rallies and public meetings, organisers are required to follow the prescribed procedure and obtain permission from the competent authority before the event.

The administration has particularly asked organisers of processions and rallies to provide details of the proposed route, date of the programme, starting and ending times and the expected number of participants. Information about prominent persons attending the event should also be shared with the administration wherever required so that appropriate security and traffic arrangements can be made.

The district administration has made it clear that all public programmes should be conducted in accordance with applicable laws, rules and valid orders and directions issued by the competent authorities. Organisers should ensure that no activity at a public place or on a public road causes unauthorised obstruction to traffic, threatens public safety or unreasonably interferes with the rights of other citizens.

The administration has also appealed to students and members of the public to check the legal status of any programme and the conditions prescribed by the administration before participating in it. Citizens have been advised not to act on rumours or misleading information in a manner that could affect law and order, public safety, traffic movement or cause inconvenience to the general public.

The administration clarified that the requirement of prior information and permission is not intended to prevent peaceful or democratic programmes. Instead, it is aimed at enabling authorities to make necessary arrangements for the safety of participants, maintenance of law and order, traffic management and convenience of the general public.

The district administration urged all political parties, social and voluntary organisations, institutions, groups and citizens to follow the applicable law and prescribed procedures while organising public programmes. Organisers have also been asked to provide the required information to the administration in advance and cooperate in maintaining law and order, public safety and smooth traffic movement.