Calcutta HC allows VHP- Bajrang Dal’s Shourya Jagran Yatra in WB with conditions.

Another slap on the face of WB CM Mamata Banerjee. 

Calcutta High Court allows VHP- Bajrang Dal’s Shourya Jagran Yatra in WB with restrictions.  

Pradip Kanti Mondal | HENB | Kolkata | Oct 4, 2023:: In a huge setback for Mamata Banerjee Govt in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court has allowed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal led  “Shourya Jagran Yatra”. The VHP and Bajrang Dal activists had filed a plea against the West Bengal government’s decision denying permission for the yatra.

The Yatra is set to create awareness about issues related to Hinduism and to honour freedom fighters.

The WB administration and Police took the plea that the Yatra would make disturbances to the gathering and marketing of the common people in a festive mood due to the upcoming Durga Puja in the state with ‘certain violations’ as the reason to halt the rally.

After hearing both sides the Hon’ble High Court in Calcutta allowed permission for the Shourya Jagran Yatra with certain restrictions.

Though the Ytra was scheduled from 1st October to 8th October, the organisers are setting the new schedule after getting permission from the court of law.

Hindu side’s advocates Feroze Edulji and Anamika Pandey told HENB, “Today, the Bench perused the route map presented by the petitioner, as well as their detailed proposal pertaining to modalities of conducting the yatra and accordingly allowed the prayers, whilst directing the State authorities to keep tight vigil over the area to prevent any unforeseen incidents.”

Justice Jay Sengupta delivered the conditions for permission today (04.10.2023) after 3 PM.

The HENB has accessed the Calcutta High Court Order via a coordinator of the said Yatra in the matter of Chandan Kaity Vs. State of West Bengal bearing No. WPA 23781 of 2023 along with WPA 23782 of 2023, WPA 23784 of 2023, and WPA 23818 of 2023.

The Bench of Justice Sengupta ordered an alternative route for the Yatra in Howrah as, “For the march through the district of Howrah, the petitioners shall take the other route via Andul Road i.e., Betaitala-Hangsang Crossing-Kali Bazar- Mullick Fatak-Howrah Maidan”, allowing the other routes submitted by the petitioners.

The other conditions commended by the court follow hereunder:

“As has been agreed to by the petitioners, at any point of time each rally shall not exceed more than 200 participants except when they converge at Rani Rasmoni Road and except for the Yatra which is to take place in the city of Kolkata. The maximum number of participants anywhere would not exceed 2,000 in any event. When the Yatra passes through one District to another, 15 persons from the rally would continue to be a part of the same while others would come for the next District, the total never exceeding 200 at any point, per procession.

“There will be three (3) Tata-407 cars and 20 motorbikes to be used by the participants at each procession.  The registration numbers of the Tata-407 cars shall be intimated to the police.

“In the rally which is meant for Kolkata, there shall be a maximum of four (4) matadors, and ten (10) Tata -407 cars and thirty (30) motorcycles. The registration numbers of the cars and  the matadors shall be provided to the respondent police authorities.

“No provocative slogans or abusive language shall be used by the participants. No one will hurt the religious sentiments of any other community.

“If loudspeakers are used, the prescribed sound limits are to be adhered to.

“No weapons will be carried by any of the participants.

“The participants shall use the State highways while traveling. At any point, the participants shall not occupy more than half of a road. The halt locations shall also be intimated in advance to the respondent authorities.

“If there is any last minute minor change in these arrangements, the same shall be intimated to the respondent authorities immediately.

“The respondent authorities, on the other hand, shall make adequate police arrangements in every District for the smooth passage of the Jagran Yatra. There will be armed police to facilitate the passage of the Jagran Yatra. The police authorities shall see to it that no harm is done either to the participants or to the passersby. The police arrangement shall be made under the superintendence of the respective Superintendent of Police/Commissioner/Joint Commissioner.

“The police authorities, while maintaining peace, shall not act as mute spectators and shall manage the situation in a proactive manner.”

Thanks to the Hon’ble Court of Law in the Calcutta High Court for restoring the Religious rights of Hindus in West Bengal. However, India is a Hindu majority State and Hindus in West Bengal are still in the majority, but they are forced to knock on the door of the Court of Law to get their rights for worship or religious programmes. It is a high concern for the Hindus in Bengal! Isn’t it?

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See the CHC Order for VHP & Bajrang Dal’s Shourya Jagran Yatra 2023 in West Bengal, here.

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__Agency inputs.