The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) approached the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday to seek permission to hold a Ram Navami procession in Bankura’s Saltora, on allegations that police did not give them permission.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh has given permission to file a case.

According to the petitioner, the police have stated that there are other processions on the day of the proposed procession.

This comes after another petition moved by the VHP in Justice Ghosh’s bench for permission for a Ram Navami rally at Mohanpur at Paschim Medinipur, and two more petitions filed by the Hindu outfit for permission for rallies in Howrah.

Chandranath Das, VHP South Bengal secretary, told The Indian Express, “We have moved the court because the police are not giving us permission… but generally, we do not need permission. In the last 10-15 years, Ram Navami has been celebrated. We generally give an intimation letter to Lal Bazar and they inform local police stations and the special branch contacts us. But now that the police are creating trouble, we had to move court.”

“The police’s job is to allow us to celebrate our festivals peacefully and ensure that law and order is maintained. What the police are doing is not right,” he said.

Ram Navami is to be celebrated on April 6. The West Bengal unit of the BJP is preparing for processions across the state. Police are on strict vigil, with all personnel’s leaves cancelled from Wednesday to April 9.

The VHP has said they will organise 2,000 rallies across West Bengal on April 6.

After an incident in Mothabari last week, where two communities allegedly clashed over religious processions, sources said that the Malda police and administration have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that Ram Navami is celebrated in an amiable environment of peace and harmony at Mothabari and the entire district.