Kolkata, July 1: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has decided to approach the Calcutta High Court against the Kolkata Police’s imposition of a ban on the celebration of ‘Shaheed Divas’ on July 21. The party asserts that it has commemorated this day annually in central Kolkata.
On Tuesday, Kolkata Police announced that permission would not be granted for the observance of ‘Shaheed Divas’ near the busy Esplanade crossing, in front of the CESC House. The police have invoked Section 163 of the Indian National Security Act (BNSAA), prohibiting gatherings exceeding a specified number in that area.
So far, there has been no response from the rebel leaders of the TMC regarding this decision by the Kolkata Police. However, TMC leaders have stated their intention to address the issue both legally and politically.
Kalyan Banerjee, a senior lawyer and four-time Lok Sabha MP from TMC, argued that enforcing Section 163 across the entire area for two months is illegal. He suggested that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari appears to fear democratic gatherings and organized protests.
“We will certainly challenge this order in court. We will file a case and confront this through both legal and political means. We have complete faith in the country’s judicial system,” Banerjee stated. He added, “Democratic movements cannot be suppressed in this manner.”
TMC MP Mahua Moitra expressed confidence that the judiciary would address the state’s undemocratic actions.
The TMC has consistently held its ‘Shaheed Divas’ rally in front of the CESC House. This annual event, initiated to condemn the killings of Congress workers in 1993, was originally organized by the Congress party. After breaking away from Congress in 1998, Mamata Banerjee established the TMC, which has since continued the tradition.
Leave a Comment