FIR Against Jignesh Mevani And Umar Khalid In Pune, Mumbai Police Denies Permission For Event

Mumbai Police has denied permission for an event that was to be addressed by Dalit politician Jignesh Mewani and Jawaharlal Nehru University's left-wing student leader Umar Khalid, Times of India has reported.

Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mewani had been invited to speak at the event, said Sagar Bhalerao, Vice President of Chhatra Bharati and the organiser for the meet.

"Had booked Bhaidas Hall for All India National Students' Summit here on Thursday, but now we are being denied entry. Reason police is citing is the news doing the rounds about Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mewani for the past few days," he added.

The permission for the event was reportedly cancelled after an FIR was registered in Pune's Vishrambaug Police Station against Mevani and Khalid under sections 153(A), 505 and 117 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to the Times of India, Mevani and Khalid have been accused of making provocative statements in Pune on 31 December. The two had made the statements while attending an event organised to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, at Shaniwar Wada in the city.

Both Mewani and Khalid were present at the event, where violence led to the death of a 28-year-old man and triggered Dalit protests, Hindustan Times reported.