The petitioner’s counsel argued that while accountability has been sought from the government and the police over the events of July 20, no action has been taken against the organisers of the protest even after 15 days. He submitted that the organisers are continuing to make provocative public statements and should be held responsible for the resulting violence.
Organisers of public gatherings are routinely held accountable for lapses, the counsel argued.
“Even where there is a congregation, say a religious congregation, if there is an act of negligence, or even if there is a fire in the pandal, the organisers are held responsible. In fact, they are the first to be held responsible, be it an act of God, a stampede, or anything else. In the present case… if the Government is on the back foot, society cannot be on the back foot. The law cannot be on the back foot,” the counsel submitted.
