VHP, Bajrang Dal move Calcutta High Court for permission to hold rally to honour freedom fighters, Hinduism

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal have moved the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to proceed with its Shourya Jagran Yatra in West Bengal [Chandan Kaity vs State of West Bengal]..At least three petitions have been filed on the matter after the State police declined to give permission to allow the rally to proceed through certain districts of West Bengal..Challenging this development, the two saffron outfits have moved the High Court for relief claiming that the yatra is meant to be a peaceful procession to create awareness about issues related to Hinduism and to honour freedom fighters.The case is likely to be heard by single-judge Justice Jay Sengupta on Tuesday morning..The petitions have been filed by Chandan Kaity, Amit Pramanik and Debjit Bhar, who are members of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal. While urging the Court to grant them permission to hold the procession, they have argued:"No arms or weapons will be carried by any of the members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal. The only objective of the Yatra is to enlighten the people of West Bengal about the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters that paved the way for an 'independent' Bharat.".They have further submitted that it is important to re-awaken the spirit of nationalism among the citizens."It is important to remind people that behind the August 15, 1947 independence, there lies a chaotic history of battles, uprisings and movements, which should not be forgotten. British Colonialism in the country was a human tragedy with few parallels in the recorded history," the petitioners submitted in their plea..British colonialism not only scarred our people by partitions, atrocities, social subjugation and economic deprivation but also debilitated and devastated the very idea of Bharat which our brave freedom fighters helped to rebuild, the petitions added."Hence, this Yatra is very important to remember and honour those freedom fighters, because it is for their sacrifices that we not only attained our independence but reclaimed our prosperity and are gradually becoming a fastest growing economy in the world," the pleas stated further..As per the petitions filed through advocates Anamika Pandey and Phiroze Edulji, the VHP's nationwide rally, the Shourya Jagran Yatra is planned to pass through West Bengal from October 4 to October 8."This Yatra is intended to spread the awareness about the various issues relating to 'Hinduism'. It also intends to honour various freedom fighters, who laid their lives for the country, protecting Hindu religion and Hindu culture. It will pass through various sites which have religious and historical importance," the petitioners said..The petitioners also assured that a maximum of 200 members of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal are likely to participate in this Yatra and that only 3 trucks and 20 motorbikes would be plied.