Shiv Sena workers protest outside Asaduddin Owaisi meeting venue

PUNE: Shiv Sena workers today staged a noisy protest outside the venue here where MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was to address a gathering on the issue of reservation for Muslims.

The Pune Police had earlier denied permission for the gathering, but today allowed the organisers to hold the meeting.

Sena workers began thronging the Kauser Baug in Kondhwa, where police allowed the gathering with several riders, including one that the crowd should not exceed 2000 people, as specified in the application for the meeting.

Police also mandated that there should not be live a telecast of the proceedings.

They asked the organisers to hold the meeting between 4 to 6 PM. However, no prominent All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) leader reached the venue.

Sena alleged that Owaisi's speeches were a threat to religious tolerance and accused him of "provoking communal tension."