Calcutta High Court Imposes Office Hour Curbs on Mamata's July 21 Rally

The Calcutta High Court has set restrictions on the Trinamool Congress's July 21 rally in Central Kolkata. Processions must reach the venue by 8 a.m. or after 11 a.m. to avoid traffic congestion during rush hour. The court also directed the police to maintain adequate deployment to ensure smooth traffic movement between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh urged the party to choose a different venue from next year.

The Calcutta High Court has imposed restrictions on the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) July 21 Martyrs' Day rally in Central Kolkata to prevent traffic congestion during rush hour. The court has directed that processions must reach the venue by 8 a.m. or after 11 a.m. to ensure smooth traffic flow. Additionally, the police are mandated to maintain adequate deployment to manage traffic between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, who presided over the case, also urged the TMC to consider alternative venues for the rally from next year. The court's decision comes in response to a petition filed by a group of lawyers alleging potential inconvenience to commuters due to the rally, which is held annually to commemorate 13 people killed in a police firing during a protest movement by the West Bengal Youth Congress on July 21, 1993.

The court's directive aims to balance the need for public assembly with the requirement for efficient traffic management, particularly in the city's central business district. The TMC's lawyer stated that the rally is expected to draw approximately 10 lakh people, highlighting the scale of the event.

The restrictions will be in place until 8 a.m. on July 21, with processions resuming after 11 a.m. The Kolkata police commissioner has been directed to ensure smooth traffic movement during the specified hours. The court has also asked the state to file an affidavit opposing the petitioner's contentions by August 22 and a reply by the petitioner within September 4.

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/calcutta-hc-allows-processions-ahead-of-tmcs-martyrs-day-rally-on-july-21-except-during-8-11-am/articleshow/122765823.cms
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/calcutta-high-court-sets-office-hour-curbs-for-mamatas-july-21-rally/article69830734.ece