Pune Police Issue 14-Day Prohibitory Orders Ahead of Holi and Ramadan; Assemblies Banned Without Permission
PUNE: To maintain law and order and ensure public safety during the upcoming festive season, the Pune City Police have issued a comprehensive prohibitory order under Section 37 (1) (2) (3) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.
The order, issued by Dr. Sandeep Bhajibhakare, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), will be in effect for 14 days, starting from March 3, 2026 (00:01 hrs) until March 16, 2026 (24:00 hrs).
Reasons for the Restrictions
The police administration noted that various political parties and social organizations frequently organize marches, hunger strikes, and demonstrations in the city. With major festivals like Dhulivandan (Holi), Ramadan, and the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (as per the tithi) approaching, the authorities aim to prevent any potential disruption of peace or communal disharmony.
What is Prohibited?
During this 14-day period, the following activities are strictly banned across the Pune Police Commissionerate jurisdiction:
- Weapons and Explosives: Carrying, storing, or manufacturing arms, swords, spears, sticks, guns, stones, or any explosive/inflammable substances.
- Symbolic Protests: Displaying or burning effigies of leaders or symbolic “corpses.”
- Public Utterances: Using provocative language, singing inflammatory songs, playing loud musical instruments, or making gestures that defy public decency or threaten state security.
- Visual Content: Creating or displaying posters, signs, or objects that are deemed obscene or could incite violence or instability.
- Social Media Menace: Creating and posting “reels” or videos of criminals to spread terror or issue threats is strictly prohibited.
Restrictions on Assemblies
Under Section 37(3), the assembly of five or more persons for meetings or processions is prohibited without prior written permission from the Pune City Police Commissioner.
Exemptions
These orders do not apply to:
- Government officials on duty required to carry weapons.
- Private security guards or Gurkhas carrying sticks (lathis) not exceeding 3.5 feet in length.
Penalties for Violations
The Pune Police have instructed all senior police inspectors to display copies of this order in prominent public places and announce the restrictions via loudspeakers. Any individual found violating these orders will be liable for prosecution under Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.
