Overruling the objections raised by the Kolkata Police, the Calcutta High Court today granted permission for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed rally at Maidan (Brigade Parade Ground) in the city on January 14.
The court, however, observed that the rally cannot have more than 4,000 people in attendance.
The High Court’s ruling comes after the Kolkata Police denied permission for Bhagwat’s rally at Brigade Parade Ground saying the ground was too big for such an event.
Interestingly, the RSS had first taken permission to hold the rally at Bhukailash Ground in Kidderpore from the Bhukailash Trust that manages the ground, but the police turned it down saying it was too small for the crowd and may lead to law and order problems.
Subsequently, the RSS sought permission for holding the rally at Brigade Parade Ground which the Kolkata Police refused once again.
On January 9, the RSS filed a petition in Calcutta High Court seeking permission to hold the rally at the Brigade Parade Ground.
Incidentally, Kolkata Police had also denied permission for BJP chief Amit Shah’s rally in the city on November 2, 2014.
Even at that time, the BJP had eventually obtained permission for the rally from the Calcutta High Court.
The High Court also issued a suo motu contempt notice against Kolkata police commissioner Rajiv kumar for not complying with the court’s direction to consider the application of RSS seeking permission to hold a function at Bhukailash Park or at Brigade Parade Ground within 24 hours and communicate the decision to the organisers.
The Kolkata Police communicated to the court its decision of not allowing the RSS rally through a joint commissioner of police.
