• High Court flags traffic disruption ahead of TMC’s 21 July rally
    The Statesman | 18 July 2025
  • The Calcutta High Court on Thursday issued strong observations over possible disruption to public life due to the Trinamul Congress’s annual 21 July rally, prompting concerns over traffic management in the city.

    The remarks came during a hearing on a petition filed by a Left-affiliated lawyers’ body, which expressed apprehension that the large-scale political event could paralyse central Kolkata for hours. While Justice Tirthankar Ghosh clarified that the court would not interfere with the rally this year, he questioned the burden such events place on ordinary citizens. “How long can the public tolerate this?” he asked, signalling displeasure at the scale of inconvenience anticipated.

    The state’s Advocate General defended the rally, saying permissions were obtained through due process. “Even during visits by the President or Prime Minister, similar traffic restrictions are imposed. This rally has been held for around three decades,” he said. The court, however, was not convinced. “Will the Kolkata police commissioner give an undertaking that there will be no traffic jams?” Justice Ghosh retorted, adding that authorities must be mindful of public tolerance limits.

    Issuing specific instructions, the court directed that: No rally-bound participants may enter the city after 11 a.m. on Sunday; Only those already present in Kolkata by then may attend the rally; At least one-third of the road space must be kept clear for vehicular movement. The petitioner, lawyer Shamim Ahmed, argued that while he was not opposing any political event, there must be parity in how permissions are granted.

    “Why is one party allowed such access while others face restrictions?” he asked, citing a July 16 notification that warned of 20-hour traffic closures in parts of central Kolkata. In response, the state’s counsel said traffic regulations apply uniformly to all major events, including religious festivals and rallies by other parties. The court further suggested that future political gatherings of such magnitude be held in large venues like stadiums to reduce strain on public infrastructure. “Why not use a stadium with a capacity of one lakh? The roads belong to everyone,” Justice Ghosh said. The court also instructed the West Bengal government to develop a comprehensive policy for large-scale public events to prevent future hardship to residents.

    Observers note that the 21 July rally, commemorating the 1993 police firing on Youth Congress workers, has over the years become a show of strength for the ruling Trinamul Congress. But with growing urban congestion, questions over the location and scale of such events are gaining prominence.

    The state government is yet to respond to the High Court’s suggestions.

     
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