HC nod for rally with ‘people should not suffer’ rider
Times of India | 13 November 2024
Kolkata: The public at large suffer due to traffic congestions caused by processions, the Calcutta High Court said on Tuesday, as it restricted a protest rally to the route suggested by the state, set the timings from 12.15 pm to 4.15 pm to avoid office rush hours and capped the number of participants at 1,000.
"In Kolkata, one has to learn to live with it (processions). I do not like processions, but I am sitting on a bench passing orders (for it)," said Justice Tirthankar Ghosh.
Justice Ghosh was hearing a plea by Gobardhan Giri Charitable Trust, which wanted to hold a rally to protest against alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and submit a memorandum to the Bangladesh deputy high commission. The Trust moved the HC after police initially denied nod for the rally on their proposed route, from RR Avenue to Circus Avenue, via Chowringhee, Park Street, Mullickbazar, Elgin Road & AJC Bose Road.
The state proposed RR Avenue, Lenin Sarani, Moulali and AJC Bose Road to Circus Avenue. Justice Ghosh agreed to the state route and ordered, "The organisers will at Beck Bagan crossing control their sympathisers and won't take steps that may disturb locals and bilateral relations." The HC also said, "The state would ensure there is no tension created either by people of the area... or those in the rally."