Calcutta High Court Allows Vishva Hindu Parishad's Plea For Ram Navami Rally, Caps Participants At 500

The Calcutta High Court has permitted the Vishva Hindu Parishad to organise a Ram Navami rally in Howrah on March 26, 2026, allowing it to follow the same route as the previous year, while imposing a series of restrictions to ensure maintenance of public order.Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya was hearing a writ petition filed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad seeking directions upon police authorities to facilitate the rally.The petitioners relied on a coordinate bench order dated April 4, 2025, which had permitted the rally on the same route with conditions. The State, however, opposed the plea and suggested a change in route citing election-related activities near Shibpur Police Line and concerns over sensitive stretches affecting public order.The Court noted that the earlier order had attained finality and that the rally had been conducted on the same route in previous years. It held that the reasons cited by the police were not sufficient to warrant a deviation.While acknowledging that the right to assemble under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) can be regulated, the Court observed that such regulation must be reasonable and cannot arbitrarily restrict established practices.Addressing the State's concern regarding interference with election preparedness, the Court held that the issue could be effectively managed by deploying adequate police personnel at sensitive locations rather than altering the route.The Court also rejected the plea of sensitivity of certain stretches, noting that the same route had been permitted earlier under judicial orders.Allowing the rally, the Court imposed several conditions:The number of participants shall not exceed 500 at any point of timeOnly one vehicle carrying the tableau/idol will be permittedParticipants shall not carry arms, lathis or metal weaponsNo provocative or communal slogans shall be raisedOnly limited sound systems allowed; no DJ systems permittedThe rally must proceed without halts and be completed between 3 PM and 6 PMOrganisers must provide details and ID proofs of participants in advanceThe Court further directed deployment of adequate police personnel and allowed authorities to take action in case of any violation of conditions.The police authorities have been directed to submit a compliance report before the Court on April 1, 2026.Case: Vishva Hindu Parishad & Another –Versus – State of West Bengal & OthersCase No: WPA 6515 of 2026Click here to read order

Calcutta High Court Allows Vishva Hindu Parishad's Plea For Ram Navami Rally, Caps Participants At 500

Srinjoy Das

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