Fearing the Pride Parade would turn into a protest march against CAA-NRC-NPR, the Mumbai police has denied permission to the LGBTQIA+ community to hold their annual march at August Kranti Maidan. The community has been granted permission to hold a ‘solidarity gathering’ at the more secluded and not as visible Azad Maidan, instead.

“The police denied permission because the community’s social media posts let on that their plans were different this time,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajiv Jain told ThePrint. He said there were concerns the Pride Parade would turn into a protest against the amended citizenship law, for which permission to march in the city couldn’t be granted.

“Azad Maidan is the designated area for any protest in the city,” the DCP of Zone 2, South Mumbai added.

“The pride this year experiences the sombre mood of the nation,” says Harish Iyer, co-organiser of Queer Azaadi Mumbai. This time, members of the LGBTQ+ community will hold a ‘solidarity gathering’ at Azad Maidan. Read more via The Print