Calcutta HC gives nod to BJP rally after Mamata's police denied clearance

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday gave the BJP its go-ahead to hold a rally after the Mamata Banerjee administration initially refused permission.

The High Court has said the BJP needs to stick to the route cleared by the police.

The BJP had proposed a "Protirodh Sankalp Avijan" across the state, to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

The West Bengal Police had told the BJP that it wouldn't be able to give clearance, as the rally would coincide with the Gangasagar mela.

1,600 KM RALLY

BJP aims to build up momentum ahead of the panchayat polls through its "Protirodh Avijan" to counter, what it calls, "a state of chronic lawlessness and misrule" in the state.

The rally was scheduled from Contai in East Midnapore to Cooch Behar district in North Bengal covering a distance of 1600 kilometers. Accordingly, the party had sought permission from the state police in its letter on January 5, but was denied clearance.

"You are well aware that a huge number of pilgrims from within the state and various parts of India visit the mela and their smooth to and fro movement covering the entire state is very important. Your proposed rally will cause disruption to the smooth movement of the pilgrims," claimed Anuj Sharma, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order).

Alleging that the Trinamool Congress run state government was indulging in "vindictive politics", BJP has moved the Calcutta High Court challenging the police's decision.

In a similar move last week, the Rashtriya Syawamsevak Sangh (RSS) was also denied permission to hold a yoga shivir in Howrah district. Later the Sangh conducted the programme on January 7 as per schedule after High Court's nod.

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