THERE SHOULD BE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO HOLD PUBLIC RALLIES IN STATE: CALCUTTA HC

The Calcutta High Court in the case Swadesh Ranjan Das Adhikary v. The State of West Bengal And Ors observed that there should be level playing field for all the political denominations and the ideologies in the State wherein holding of the public rallies, gatherings and meetings.

The single judge bench headed by Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, wherein a writ petition is filed by a BJP leader challenging the decision of the State Police denying him the permission to hold a rally on March 14 at Nandigram for paying the respects to the 14 villagers who were being killed in police firing during the Anti-land Acquisition protests on 14.03.2007.

It has also been contended by the petitioner in the plea that the police authorities denied the necessary permissions to hold rally wherein it has been suggested by him that the rally on an alternative day.

Before, the court, the counsel appearing for the State Amitesh Banerjee submitted that another political party has been allowed for holding a rally at the said place from 10 am to 2 pm on the same day.

It has also been permitted by the court that the petitioner in the plea to hold the rally from 8 am to 10 am on the 14.03.2023 at the Nandigram at Gokulnagar, Adhikaripara Malpally to Sonachura Saheed Minar, the court averred that the public at large should not inconvenienced in any way and movement of traffic should not be disturbed.

Further, it has been directed by the court that the other political party to hold rally from 11 am to 3 pm instead of 10 am to 2 pm on March 14.

Therefore, the court held that the petitioner may hold the rally and the CRPF may also deploy forces for ensuring the petitioner’s rally is held smoothly. Thus, the petitioner and the supporters of them or the CRPF shall vacate the place indicated hereinabove by 10.30 am and the State police, to the extent necessary may also be deployed.

Accordingly, the court disposed of the writ plea with the above directions.