The Bombay High Court on 25 July 2025 dismissed a petition filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) challenging the Mumbai Police’s refusal to permit a protest at Azad Maidan against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging the party to turn its attention to domestic issues instead.
A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad rejected the petition, remarking that instead of protesting about events “thousands of miles away,” the party should address problems closer to home.
“Our country has enough issues. We don’t want anything like this. I am sorry to say, you are all short-sighted. You are looking at issues in Gaza and Palestine. Look at your own country. Be patriots. This is not patriotism. People say they are patriots,” the Bench observed during the hearing.
The judges further suggested that the party focus on civic concerns such as waste management, pollution, sewerage, and flooding in Mumbai, noting that such issues directly impact the daily lives of citizens.
“You are an organisation registered in India. If you could take up issues like garbage dumping, pollution, sewerage, flooding. We are just giving examples. You are not protesting on those but on something happening thousands of miles outside the country,” the Bench stated.
The petition stemmed from a June 17 decision by Mumbai Police denying permission to the All India Solidarity Organisation to hold a protest against the alleged genocide in Gaza. The application was rejected on grounds that the demonstration could disrupt public order and run counter to India’s foreign policy stance.
Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for CPI(M), argued that the right to protest is constitutionally protected, even if the demonstration opposes the government’s foreign policy. He also cited previous Supreme Court rulings affirming citizens’ right to assemble peacefully at designated public venues.
However, the State, represented by the Additional Public Prosecutor, contended that the police had received objections and were concerned about potential law and order issues arising from the event.
In its ruling, the Court held that the CPI(M) lacked the locus standi to file the petition since it was not the original applicant before the Mumbai Police.
The Bench also issued a caution about the diplomatic repercussions of such demonstrations, particularly when they pertain to international conflicts.
“You don’t know the dust it could kick up… getting on to the Palestine side or the Israel side. Why do you want to do this? It’s obvious, going by the party you represent, that you don’t understand what this could do to the foreign affairs of the country,” the Court said.
The petition was accordingly dismissed.
(With inputs from Bar and Bench)
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