Police pour cold water on Govt's Swaraj Parv plan

The Delhi Police has rejected the Aam Admi Party (AAP) Government's proposal to celebrate 'Swaraj Parv" from August 14 to August 16, a three-day cultural programme on the occasion of 69th Independence Day citing security reasons. The Arvind Kejriwal Government has sought permission  for holding the function  at  Central Park  in Connaught Place. 

According to sources, the Delhi Police has rejected the proposal on grounds of security. It is understood the Delhi police has informed the Government that it is ready to give permission for the programmes on August 16 at Central Park in Connaught Place.

Also, the Delhi police has given an option to organise such programme at Thyagraja stadium.  But AAP is adamant to hold "Swaraj Parv" at the Central Park.  Called "Swaraj Parv", the Kejriwal Government wants to host a series of activities  to celebrate the Independence Day. 

The recent terrorist attacks in Gurdaspur  and Udhampur has  set the police  personnel thinking whether  to allow the celebrations in the heart of the national Capital. In a series of discussions held between senior police officials, it was  pointed  out that 80 per cent of the force is stretched  for  organising  the Independence Day celebrations at  the Red Fort, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be delivering his second Independence Day  speech. "Police has also analysed the inputs of  various intelligence agencies suggesting that let  operatives were planning to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations . Specific  intelligence inputs along with pictures of some terrorists suspected to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations  have been circulated  to all the police stations across  the city," a senior police officer said.

It would be interesting to see how the Arvind Kejriwal Government reacts. In some circles there are fears that the denial could lead to another confrontation between the Government and the Delhi Police. 

The Government is all ready to organise the event with the Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, whose department is holding the function, said Swaraj Parv will include  'Hindi Kavi Sammelan', 'Urdu Mushaira', performance by 12 Indian  bands and artists, qawwali show and musical drama. According to Mishra, lt Governor Najeeb Jung will inaugurate the event, which will be followed by a Hindi Kavi Sammelan, which will see participation of the country's top poets. "Swaraj Parv will end with a tribute to our beloved former President A P J Abdul Kalam with an evening of Urdu poetry titled 'Shaam-e-Kalaam'," he added.