Calcutta High Court says there should be level playing field for all political ideologies in State to hold rallies, meetings

The Calcutta High Court, earlier this week, said that there should be a level playing field for all political ideologies in West Bengal to hold rallies, gatherings and meetings in the State [Swadesh Ranjan Das Adhikary vs State of West Bengal]..Single-judge Justice Rajasekhar Mantha made the observation while allowing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to hold a rally at Nandigram on March 14."This Court is of the view that there should be a level playing field for all political denominations and ideologies in the State for holding public rallies, gatherings and meetings. Law and order is indeed an issue that the State needs to look into," the Court said. The Court was hearing a plea filed by a member of the BJP challenging the decision of the State Police denying it the permission to hold a rally in Nandigram area of the Purba Medinipur district. The BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) had locked horns over holding rallies in Nandigram area, where 14 persons, protesting the anti-land acquisition laws in the State, were killed in a police firing, way back on March 14, 2007. This year was the 16th death anniversary of these martyrs and both the parties had decided to pay respects to them by holding their rallies. .Noting the facts of the case, the judge, in an order passed on March 13, directed the State Police to permit the BJP to hold a rally from 8 am to 10 am."The permission to the other political party to hold a rally shall stand deferred from 10 am to 11 am. They shall be permitted to hold the meeting from 11 am to 3 pm," the judge ordered. .The petitioner undertakes to hold a peaceful rally, the judge noted. "The public at large should not inconvenienced in any way whatsoever. Movement of traffic should not be disturbed," the bench stated. The petitioner (BJP) may hold the rally and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) may also deploy forces to ensure the petitioner’s rally is held smoothly. "However, the petitioner, their supporters and the CRPF shall vacate the place indicated by 10.30 am. The State police, to the extent necessary may also be deployed," the judge added. .Advocates Rajdeep Majumder, Mayukh Mukherjee and Pritam Roy appeared for the Petitioners. Senior Counsel Amitesh Banerjee along with advocates Ipsita Banerjee and Suddhadev Adak represented the State. .[Read Order]