A major religious procession is planned in a communally sensitive area that has previously witnessed clashes over route disputes…

Question

A major religious procession is planned in a communally sensitive area that has previously witnessed clashes over route disputes and loudspeaker use. This year, the event coincides with a large political rally nearby. Intelligence reports warn of possible flare-ups if provocative speeches or chants occur. Religious groups, however, insist on conducting full traditional celebrations without any restrictions.

As the senior district official responsible for maintaining law and order, what would be the most balanced course of action?

1. A. Allow the procession as requested to avoid offending religious sentiments, but increase police deployment
2. B. Cancel the political rally citing security risk and allow the festival with conditions
3. C. Restrict both events equally and arrange alternate routes and time slots in consultation with leaders (Correct answer)
4. D. Allow only the religious event to continue as it holds traditional significance

Correct Answer

Option C — Restrict both events equally and arrange alternate routes and time slots in consultation with leaders

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Restrict both events equally and arrange alternate routes and time slots in consultation with leaders.

Key Points

• The core duty is to protect public order and safety while treating both gatherings even-handedly.
• Restricting both events equally removes any perception of partisanship in a communally sensitive setting.
• Arranging alternate routes and time slots de-conflicts the two events physically and in time, which is what the intelligence warning calls for.
• Doing this in consultation with leaders secures cooperation and makes the restrictions easier to enforce.

Additional Information

• Option A ignores the specific warning about flare-ups; more police is a mitigation, not a plan.
• Option B and Option D each favour one gathering over the other, which in a communally sensitive area is itself a trigger.
• Restrictions of this kind are ordinarily imposed under preventive provisions of the criminal procedure law and must be reasonable, proportionate and non-discriminatory.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*