HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court directed the police to grant permission to the ‘Global Peace Festival’ meeting to be conducted by evangelist K.A. Paul’s Gospel (Unreached Millions) Society on May 24 at Gymkhana Ground, Secunderabad, for the purpose of supporting world peace. The court imposed several conditions on the organizers including that with the exception of conducting prayers no speeches would be allowed and the meeting shall be conducted between 7 pm and 9 pm.
Police have liberty to take appropriate action in the event of violation of conditions, the court said. Justice Narsing Rao Nandikonda was hearing a house motion moved by the Gospel Society, challenging the rejection orders passed by the north zone DCP on its application submitted seeking permission for the meeting.
The society claimed that Dr Paul had a history of working for world peace, and the May 24 event was aimed to promote world peace and commemorate the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. They challenged the denial of permission as unjust. The police cited multiple reasons for refusal: anticipated traffic congestion on a working day, absence of clear participant and logistics details, potential noise disturbance, lack of parking facilities, and concerns over provocative statements previously made by Dr Paul, which could trigger protests and law and order issues.
