Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered that the venue for the July 21 ‘Martyrs’ Day’ rally of Trinamool Congress, which was held in front of Victoria House every year since 2012, be shifted to the western flank of Cathedral Road in front of Birla Planetarium.The bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya ruled that no more than 2,500 participants can attend the rally, to be held from noon to 3.30 pm. The party was directed to share the names and phone numbers of 20 rally volunteers with police by 4 pm on July 18. The volunteers will have to ensure that the eastern flank of Cathedral Road remains free for vehicular movement.“Situation has changed, you have to cope with it,” the judge told the counsel representing the Mamata Banerjee faction of Trinamool. “All residents of Kolkata have had bitter experiences. The entire city used to come to a standstill. Even the HC could not function.”The bench directed police to maintain law and order after senior advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, appearing for the Mamata camp, said an unrest had broken out during a rally organised by the party at Hazra with the high court’s permission. The Mamata faction had moved the HC seeking permission to organise the rally near Victoria House, in Metro Channel or at the Dorina crossing after police thrice denied it consent to hold the event in front of Victoria House.Advocate-general Surajit Nath Mitra, appearing for the state, said Congress and the Ritabrata Banerjee faction of Trinamool are holding their ‘Martyrs’ Day’ rallies on July 21 at Shahid Minar and near the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road, respectively. While 10,000 participants are likely to attend the Congress rally, the turnout at the Ritabrata faction’s event is likely to vary between 700 and 800. The permission for both have been granted by police.The AG submitted that multiple rallies held close to one other may create law and order problems. “Some distance needs to be maintained,” the AG said, suggesting that the Mamata faction hold its rally at Subodh Mallick Square or Brigade Parade Ground.Justice Bhattacharyya remarked, “If two groups are given permission in and around Esplanade, why will another group not be permitted? I will not permit them near Victoria House, but will permit them at Dorina (crossing) or Esplanade East.” But senior advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay suggested that the road in front of Birla Planetarium would be a better option. The judge agreed to it. The petitioner sought permission for a turnout of 20,000. The judge initially decided to allow 3,000 participants, but reduced the limit to 2,500 following a plea by AG.Former CM Mamata Banerjee said, “We are grateful to the high court. The meeting will be held at Birla Planetarium. Reach there at 11am. I request everyone with folded hands, including the martyrs’ families, to come. Do come here, even if police and administration try to send you somewhere else.”
