Kolkata12 hours agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday permitted the Kalighat faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to hold its July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally near Birla Planetarium, bringing an end to the legal dispute over the venue ahead of the party’s annual political programme.
Court permits Birla Planetarium rally venue
The July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally has traditionally been held at Esplanade (Dharmatala), which served as the Trinamool Congress’s signature venue for the annual event during its years in power. This year, however, the split within the party has led to two separate Martyrs’ Day observances.
Ritabrata faction gets Mayo Road permission
The rival faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee had earlier secured permission from the authorities to hold its rally at the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road. Following a strategy meeting, Ritabrata announced that his faction would organise the programme there on July 21.
We have got permission to organise a rally at Mayo Road on July 21. We will follow the rules laid down by the police,
Ritabrata Banerjee said.
3000 supporters allowed at rally
Meanwhile, the Kalighat faction moved the Calcutta High Court after uncertainty over its proposed venue. A single bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya granted conditional permission for the rally to be held on a portion of the road in front of Birla Planetarium.
Police directed to manage traffic movement
The court allowed a maximum of 3,000 supporters to attend the gathering and directed that the remaining portion of the road must remain open to ensure the smooth movement of traffic and pedestrians. The High Court also instructed Kolkata Police to make necessary traffic and security arrangements for the event.
Split TMC observes separate Martyrs’ Day
The order means that, for the first time, two rival Trinamool Congress factions will hold separate July 21 Martyrs’ Day programmes at different venues in Kolkata. While the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction will assemble at Mayo Road near the Gandhi statue, the Kalighat faction will hold its rally near Birla Planetarium under the conditions laid down by the High Court.
July 21 Martyrs’ Day history
The July 21 Martyrs’ Day programme commemorates the 13 people who were killed in police firing during a Youth Congress rally in Kolkata in 1993. Over the years, the event evolved into the Trinamool Congress’ largest annual political gathering, traditionally held at Esplanade (Dharmatala) before the party’s split led to separate observances this year.
