Observing that public rallies and meetings are an integral part of Bengal’s culture, akin to delicacies like ‘mishti doi’, ‘luchi’, and ‘alu posto’, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday permitted a march by a state government employees’ organization.
Refusing to intervene in a single bench order that sanctioned the rally to the state secretariat Nabanna by the State Coordination Committee, representing a section of West Bengal government employees, a division bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya directed that the rally be conducted in a single file without obstructing traffic movement.
“Mishti doi, luchi, and alu posto are an integral part of Bengal culture, just as public rallies and meetings appear to be,” the Chief Justice remarked. He further stated that every Bengali is a natural orator and that the state is rich in culture and heritage.
While permitting the march, the court acknowledged that rallies and protests, including those organized by political parties, have caused significant inconvenience to the public, especially when passing through the arterial roads of Kolkata and neighboring districts.
In opposition to the march sanctioned by the single bench, the West Bengal government appealed before the division bench, citing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in the area surrounding Nabanna. The government also pointed out the congested nature of the proposed rally route from Howrah launch ghat to Nabanna bus stand.
The State Coordination Committee sought to hold the rally demanding the implementation of dearness allowance (DA) at par with central government employees. Senior counsel Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing the employees’ organization, argued that peaceful demonstration is a fundamental right that the state cannot suppress.
The court emphasized that the police in Kolkata and adjoining areas are equipped to handle multiple rallies simultaneously. It also noted the organizers’ assurance of conducting the rally peacefully.
The bench directed that the march proceed in a single line without causing traffic blockages and limiting the number of participants to the minimum necessary.
The march by members of the State Coordination Committee took place on Thursday afternoon.