Aligarh, April 8 (NationPress) BJP leader and former mayor Shakuntala Bharti, along with senior members of the Durga Maharani Mandir Sewa Samiti, has been charged for allegedly breaching police directives by changing the traditional route of the Kaali Mela Shobha Yatra during Ram Navami.

The event, which took place on April 6, has led to rising tensions in the city, culminating in a clash between two groups and an FIR being filed at the Delhi Gate police station.

As per police reports, the procession, led by Bharti, strayed from the sanctioned route and traversed through sensitive locales of the city. This deviation reportedly incited unrest among residents, as the procession entered a predominantly Muslim area. A confrontation ensued when some locals protested against the procession’s entrance into their locality. The situation was ultimately brought under control by the police.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against Bharti and other committee members under BNS Section 223 (disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant). The police have emphasized that the traditional route for the Shobha Yatra has been adhered to for years, and any deviation raises security issues.

In response, Shakuntala Bharti defended the route alteration. Speaking to the press, she asserted that the organizing committee had notified the relevant authorities about the route change beforehand.

“We had communicated with the authorities regarding the adjustment in the procession’s route this year,” Bharti stated. "The route was altered because the previous path featured narrow lanes with projections and balconies, creating a safety hazard. We even sought a survey to be conducted, as these narrow lanes were unsafe for the procession. Last year, four individuals were injured due to an electric shock during the event. No route is more important than a person's life."

Bharti continued, “We are not daunted by the case filed against us. We are prepared to confront any challenge. We live and die for our nation. My question is, why didn’t the administration intervene when we were utilizing the previous route? If the authorities had informed us, we would have adhered to their guidance. The administration did not raise objections, which is why the procession took this route. We cooperated with the administration, yet an FIR has been filed. We embrace this challenge, but I must stress that the route was modified due to the narrow alleys. The old path had become impractical for the procession to navigate safely. My Muslim brothers also observed the procession with affection, and there was no disruption during the event. So, why was an FIR filed by the police?”