Calcutta HC allows TMC youth rally with curbs; caps turnout, orders route change

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted conditional permission to the Youth Trinamool Congress (Mamata Banerjee faction) to hold a protest rally in Kolkata on July 8, modifying the proposed route and imposing a series of restrictions aimed at ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya allowed the rally to proceed from Ballygunge Phari to Hazra Crossing, instead of the route originally sought by the organisers. The court also directed that the procession must not circle the Hazra Crossing and should remain confined to one side of the road throughout its duration.

The High Court capped participation in the rally at 1,000 supporters and directed that it be held only between 2 pm and 4.30 pm. The organisers have been instructed to vacate the area by 4.30 pm without exception.

The court further directed the Youth Trinamool Congress to submit a written undertaking to the Joint Commissioner of Police, accepting responsibility for any untoward incident that may occur during the event. It also prohibited the use of loudspeakers and directed the organisers to ensure that law and order is maintained throughout the rally.

The order came after the Youth Trinamool Congress approached the High Court challenging the Kolkata Police's refusal to grant permission for the proposed demonstration.

The organisation had applied to the Joint Commissioner of Police on July 6, seeking permission to organise a protest march on July 8 against several recent incidents. However, the police rejected the application, prompting the Mamata Banerjee-led party's youth wing to move the High Court.

The organisers had originally sought permission to hold the rally from Ballygunge Phari to Lansdowne Market. Opposing the plea, the state government argued that allowing a political procession along the proposed route on a working day would cause significant disruption. It also pointed out that several hospitals are located along the stretch, and the rally could adversely affect the movement of ambulances and patients.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Bhattacharyya modified the proposed route and permitted the rally subject to strict conditions. The court made it clear that the restrictions were necessary to balance the organisers' right to protest with the need to minimise inconvenience to the public and ensure that essential services, particularly healthcare facilities in the area, remain unaffected.

- Ends