A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court has asked the West Bengal government to clarify its stance on the venue for the Martyrs’ Day rally organized by Mamata Banerjee’s faction of Trinamool Congress on July 21. The Kolkata Police had denied permission for the rally at the usual venue near Esplanade Crossing, leading the faction to approach the High Court seeking approval.
During the initial hearing, Justice Sougata Bhattacharya instructed the state government to present its position in the upcoming session. The police had proposed an alternative venue at Brigade Parade Ground, but the faction insisted on holding the rally at the traditional location in front of CESC House.
Despite the police advisory prohibiting gatherings at the original venue, the faction challenged this decision before Justice Bhattacharya. In a separate development, the rebel faction of Trinamool Congress, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, has been granted permission by Kolkata Police to conduct a rally on Jawaharlal Nehru Road on the same day.
