Calcutta High Court Declines to Halt TMC’s ‘Sampriti Rally’ Amid Ram Mandir Inauguration
In a significant ruling that resonates with the themes of religious harmony and political expression, the Calcutta High Court, on Thursday, declined to entertain a plea by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The plea sought to halt the ‘Sampriti Rally,’ an all-religions harmony rally organized by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), scheduled for January 22. This date coincides with the much-anticipated inauguration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, raised questions about how the rally would impact the temple’s inauguration. They, however, instructed the State to ensure no breach of peace or tranquility during the rally in West Bengal.
The Court was addressing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Adhikari, who expressed concerns about potential large-scale violence if the TMC rally proceeded as planned. Despite Adhikari’s requests for the rally’s cancellation or the deployment of military forces to prevent violence, the Court found no substantial grounds to halt the rally.
Chief Justice Sivagnanam and Justice Bhattacharyya emphasized the importance of avoiding hate speech or actions that could hurt the sentiments of any religious group. They stated, “During the rally no speech or utterances be made hurting the sentiments of a section of the people belonging to a particular religion or sect and this shall be scrupulously followed.”
Advocate General Kishore Datta, representing the State, assured the Court that adequate precautions would be taken to prevent any clashes or disruptions. He pointed out that multiple events, including political meetings, are common in Kolkata, and there was no substantial reason to anticipate conflicts specifically due to the TMC rally.
The Court expressed concern about the potential inconvenience to the public, given that the rally was called by a political figure of significant influence, like Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Chief Justice highlighted the necessity for prior police permission for such political rallies and rejected the argument that the rally should not be held on January 22.
Ultimately, the Court ordered that the State and the TMC must ensure the public is not adversely affected by the rally, particularly since it falls on a working day. This decision places a responsibility on the party and district leaders to seek prior permission if they wish to organize block-wise rallies, thus ensuring minimal disruption to public life.
With these directions, the Court disposed of Adhikari’s plea, upholding the right to peaceful assembly and political expression while balancing concerns of public safety and communal harmony.
This ruling is a testament to the delicate balance of maintaining public order and respecting political freedoms in a vibrant democracy like India.
