VHP Denied Permission For Hanuman Jayanti Procession In Delhi's Jahangirpuri After 2022 Riot

Delhi Police denied permission for a Shobha Yatra in Jahangirpuri, citing communal clashes during a similar event in 2022.

The permission for procession was denied after a communal riot during a similar event in 2022 left eight policemen and several civilians injured.

Source : PTI

The Delhi Police have denied permission for a Shobha Yatra by Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.  

The area witnessed communal clashes during the same event in 2022 resulting in serious injuries to police personnel and civilians. The violent clash broke out on April 16, 2022, between two groups during a Hanuman Jayanti procession that left eight police personnel and a civilian injured.

In an order dated April 11, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, North-West district stated that VHP's request to grant permission for the Shobha Yatra on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on 12.04.2025 from 12:00 PM was considered but "not acceded to". 

The permssion for the yatra from A-Block to E-Block Jahangir puri "was considered but keeping in view of the sensitivity and it's ramification on law & order and security scenario in the area the same could not be acceded to," the order stated.

The police, however, allowed the celebration to take place in the temple premises.

HC Asks Police To Examine The Issue 

The development comes despite the Delhi High Court observing that untoward past occurrences cannot necessarily preclude holding events arising out of prevalent religious practices.

It also asked the Delhi Police to take a call on allowing the procession. 

ALSO READ | Security Forces Gun Down 3 Naxals During Encounter In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

Justice Sachin Datta heard a plea against the police refusing permission to hold the procession on Saturday. 

"Respondents are directed to endeavour to consider the said application and take an appropriate and timely decision. The authorities may bear in mind that occurrence of an untoward incident in the year 2022, cannot necessarily preclude holding of processions on religious occasions, as per the prevalent practice in the previous years," the court said.