Bombay High Court Allows Congregation With Telangana MLC Rajasinh In Nanded, Subject To Undertaking Against Hate Speech

The Bombay High Court recently quashed and set aside an order passed by Maharashtra's Nanded Police refusing permission to controversial right-wing leader T Rajasinh Thakur to participate in a congregation, on the ground that his 'inflammatory' hate speeches cause differences between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

Thakur popularly known as T Raja, is presently serving as an independent MLC from Telangana and was earlier a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Owing to his 'controversial statements' during rallies, T Raja has been refused permission several times and latest was by the Nanded Police, which denied permission to the organisers of a 'congregation' to be held on April 4 at Biloli village in Nanded district.

A division bench of Justice Sandipkumar More and Justice Abasaheb Shinde noted that the State refused T Raja from participating in the event "as he is known by his hate speeches causing differences in Hindu-Muslim religions."

"Moreover, the question of law and order may arise in Nanded District due to such congregation. Further, the impugned communication also states that since the MLC T. Rajasinh Thakur is known for hate speech, the possibility of arising any question of law and order in the festival season of Ram Nawami, cannot be ruled out," the judges noted.

The bench noted the contention of the event organisers that in the past too, T Raja was denied permission to speak at various places across Maharashtra, however, the coordinate benches at the Principal seat in Mumbai, and other seats at Nagpur and Aurangabad, had permitted the right-wing leader to participate in such rallies and also deliver speeches, but with a condition, that he should not hurt any religious sentiments and also should ensure that there is no law and order situation because of his speech.

The judges while considering the argument, said it was 'extremely important' to note that not a single untoward incident had taken place in the places such as Jalna, Mira-Bhayander etc, wherein permission to T Raja, for addressing the congregation was granted.

"The petitioner has even filed an affidavit to that effect before this Court. Today, the petitioner has filed written undertaking that in the forthcoming congregation dated April 4, 2026 no inflammatory or provocative speeches which may disturb communal harmony or public peace, shall be delivered. He has also undertaken to strictly abide with all the conditions which may be imposed by the Police for holding such congregation," the judges recorded in the March 27 order.

Therefore, considering all the aspects the judges quashed the March 17 orders of the Nanded Police and granted permission to T Raja for participating in the congregation at Biloli village in Nanded.

The Nanded Police has been ordered to impose reasonable conditions on T Raja to ensure that there is no law and order situation created because of his speeches.

Appearance:

Advocate Suresh Kulkarni appeared for the Petitioner.

Additional Public Prosecutor SP Sonpawale represented the State.

Case Title: Maroti Raosaheb Jadhav vs State of Maharashtra (Criminal Writ Petition 401 of 2026)

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Bom) 157

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