Yoga Day road closure: Calcutta HC asks why event was not arranged at Brigade Ground

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned Kolkata police’s decision to close the Red Road and other adjoining roads in West Bengal for vehicular traffic ahead of the International Yoga Day celebrations in the city..Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lead the national event on June 21. The closure of the road due to security reasons has been challenged by All India Lawyers Union. At the outset of the hearing, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya remarked that the programme was apolitical, and that Kolkata residents earlier have been witness to closure of roads for political reasons.However, the Court also said that the closure of the road for seven days was unprecedented and asked why it was not organised at the Brigade Parade Ground. The Bench said the members of the Bar were finding it difficult to reach the High Court.Considering the difficulties faced by the lawyers, the Court has now directed the police to make alternative arrangements to facilitate the movement of lawyers and other city residents on other roads to enable them to reach their work places.“After the event is organized on 21-06-2026, the police authorities are directed to take immediate steps thereafter for freeing the Red Road for public use,” the Court added..The Court said that the larger issue can be decided only after the authorities file a formal response to the petition. It further asked the petitioners to implead the Ministry of Defence or the Eastern Command as a party respondent since the Red Road is under the control of the Army.During the hearing, the petitioners had argued that the extent and duration of the restrictions were disproportionate to the stated object sought to be achieved and disclosed a non-application of mind on the part of the authorities.The plea also said that the authorities last month had cited inconvenience as a justification to prevent the use of Red Road for Eid prayers, but have now ordered the closure of the road for approximately eight days, together with restrictions on adjoining roads and diversion of traffic across a significant part of the city.In response, Additional Advocate General Bilwadal Bhattacharya highlighted the importance of the programme and said India would be leading the international event from Kolkata. “Importance of the programme would have been lowered if this programme would have been organized at Brigade?” the Court replied.The Court then asked the authorities to take necessary measures to facilitate the movement of lawyers and other residents through alternative routes during the period of road closure..Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya represented the petitioners.