Calcutta High Court Allows 'Sampriti All-Religion Harmony Rally' To Be Held In Kolkata On Same Day As Ram Mandir Inauguration

The Calcutta High Court today dismissed a plea challenging the 'Sampriti All-Religion Harmony Rally' which is proposed to be held in Kolkata by the State government and the ruling political party, on the same date as the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya i.e. 22nd January 2024.

In disposing of the plea moved by BJP MP and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari, a division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya held:

Several pleas have been filed by the writ petitioner himself seeking to hold rallies. In our view, so far as the rally to be organised in Kolkata on 22nd January, the route has also been mentioned. Undoubtedly such a rally will disrupt the normal flow of traffic and cause inconvenience. It is the duty of the state to ensure that the common public is not affected on account of this rally since 22nd Jan which is a working day. No speech shall be made hurting the sentiments of people belonging to a religion or any sect. All participants of the rally shall be sensitised. If any violation occurs, the organisers may be held responsible.

Petitioner argued that the 'Sampriti Rally' was proposed to be held in all blocks across West Bengal and that its clash with the Ram Mandir consecration would lead to large-scale violence since the State had granted permission to various groups to hold events commemorating the consecration in areas across West Bengal.

It was submitted that either the organisers choose another date for the rally, the rally be cancelled or central paramilitary forces be deployed to ensure that the violence that occurred earlier on Hanuman Jayanti or Ram Navami not be repeated.

Advocate General for the State submitted that for the rally to be held in Kolkata, a well-demarcated route had been laid down and that all parties should be free to choose a date per their preference. 

Upon hearing the arguments, the Bench noted that while the rally in Kolkata may go ahead as planned, the rallies at the district level must only be held if appropriate permission is granted by the district-level authorities. 

It further directed that the State take responsibility to ensure that the hardship to the public is minimised and that if permission is granted at the district level, the authorities scrupulously follow these guidelines or risk being held personally liable. 

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Cal) 18

Case: Suvendu Adhikari v State of WB

Case No: WPA(P) 26/2024