HC allows peaceful protest for intellectuals against RG Kar case

The Calcutta High Court has granted permission for a peaceful procession in Kolkata, allowing a group of intellectuals to march in protest against the recent death of a doctor. The group, organized under the banner of 'Cultural and Literary Bengal,' had initially faced resistance from the Kolkata police, who denied them permission for the September 3 march. This led the organizers to seek judicial intervention.

On Friday, Justice Amrita Sinha's bench heard the case, where the state's counsel, Advocate Amitesh Banerjee, argued against the timing of the march, citing concerns over office closures during that time. The intellectuals, represented by their lawyer, argued that the police were unjustly obstructing a peaceful protest. They requested permission for a march of 1,000 participants from Rabindra Sadan to Hazra Mor.

In response to the state's objection, Justice Amrita Sinha questioned the efficacy of merely altering the march's timing, suggesting that it would not stop the widespread protests already taking place. The court ultimately allowed the march to proceed as planned, noting that the state's only objection was the timing, which was not sufficient to deny the march.

This ruling comes in the wake of heightened protests following the RG Kar Medical College incident, which has sparked outrage across the country. The state had previously sought guidance from the Supreme Court on regulating protest marches, but Chief Justice DY Chandrachud dismissed the plea, emphasizing that while the state could enforce the law, it could not prevent peaceful demonstrations.