Pick a different venue next year for Martyrs’ Day rally: Calcutta High Court to TMC

Hearing a petition alleging inconvenience caused to people due to the rally on a working day (this year, July 21 falls on Monday), Justice Tirthankar Ghosh said: “At the last moment, I will not change the venue. But from next year, select another place like Sahid Minar, the Brigade Parade Ground, or the Salt Lake Stadium. Political parties have an emotional attachment to such days, but stadiums should be used for such programmes.”

The petitioner’s counsel, Shamim Ahmed, had pointed out that the rally, to be held on a working Monday, would disrupt traffic and affect office goers. Justice Ghosh remarked, “For how many more days will people tolerate? Declare it a holiday. If such programmes are held on working days, how will the police manage traffic?”

During the hearing, TMC counsel Biswaroop Bhattacharya argued the petition was politically motivated. “This has been going on for 13 years,” he said. Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the state government, submitted, “They are alleging traffic jams. But traffic curbs happen during any major programme, even when the Prime Minister or President visits, or during events at Brigade Parade Ground.”

Dutta also questioned the timing of the plea. “Why has the petition been filed just seven days before the rally, when it is organised every year? Hundreds to thousands come from across the state. Even during Pujas, traffic curbs are imposed,” he said.

Justice Ghosh, however, said, “Can you (the state) say there will be no congestion? Let the Police Commissioner submit an affidavit that there will be no traffic disruption.”

Ahmed said, “We are not asking for a ban. We are saying that Section 144 is imposed from KC Das to Victoria House. When other parties seek permission to hold events there, the state cites traffic disruption as a reason to deny it. Police have already issued notifications stating curbs across major streets.”

Justice Ghosh said that July 21 cannot be observed by “blocking roads, causing jams, and seizing buses”.

A long hearing will be held to decide whether future rallies can be held in front of Victoria House. Until then, the court directed that both the police and the ruling TMC must ensure that there are no traffic jams on the day of the rally.

The court also directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to submit a bond stating this guarantee.

The court will hear the matter on Friday and is likely to issue a final order.