Calcutta High Court allows Mohan Bhagwat to hold rally in Kolkata

New Delhi: Overruling Kolkata Police’s decision, Calcutta High Court, on Friday, allowed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to hold rally at Brigade Parade Grounds in the city on January 14.

The Calcutta HC also issued a show cause notice to the city's Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar for not informing the RSS of their decision. Kumar has been asked to file a reply within two weeks and mention what led the Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Headquarters) send a reply to the RSS instead of the commissioner himself.

The court, however, stated that only 4,000 invitees will be allowed to enter the rally ground. Entry will be restricted for non-invitees, the court said in its verdict.

The case:

• RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had sought permission for holding rally at Bhukailash temple grounds or Khidderpore areas in Kolkata.
• A day ago, a letter from Kolkata Police, addressed to the Pracharak of the Kolkata, RSS, stated that the rally cannot not be held at any of the proposed venues – Bhukailash temple grounds and Khidderpore. The letter was undersigned by the Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Headquarters) Supratim Sarkar.
• Reason stated by the police in the letter was that the Brigade Parade Grounds which was one of the proposed venues of the rally was being used as a transit camps for the Gangasagar Mela pilgrims and vehicles. Theb ground was unavailable till January 18, the letter stated.
• According to the letter, another proposed venue namely Bhukailash temple grounds can accommodate only 500 people, which could result in a stampede.

The Calcutta High Court has granted permission to RSS to hold the rally at Brigade Parade Grounds and asked Kolkata Police to make all the arrangements to maintain law and order.