Mumbai police on August 12, 2025, informed the Bombay High Court that it has agreed to allow the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], to hold a peaceful protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, condemning the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The protest will be held on August 20, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., for the protesters to express their thoughts on the genocide purportedly occurring in Gaza,” the police told the Division Bench of justices, Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad.
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Additional Public Prosecutor S.C. Gavand told the court that the protest must comply with the legal requirements and be confined to the designated demonstration area. Representing the petitioners, Senior Advocate Mihir Desai assured the Bench that the organisers will adhere to the draft regulations under the Maharashtra Police Act, which require organisers to ensure the event remains orderly and confined to designated protest areas and said, “I hope neither of us comes back on the 21st.”
On Monday (August 11, 2025), Mr. Desai had informed the court that the Pune police gave permission last week to hold a similar protest. To this, the court asked the APP to check if the protest can be allowed with some conditions in place to ensure law and order in the city. on Tuesday, after hearing that the permission is granted, the court disposed of the petition.
