HC orders BJP to change location of Kasba protest rally, questions necessity after arrests

The Calcutta High Court has granted conditional permission for a rally led by Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari, protesting the recent Kasba Law College gang rape incident. However, the court has mandated a change in both the time and location of the procession, ensuring it concludes between 1 PM and 5 PM. This order was delivered by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on Tuesday, following a petition filed by the BJP after police initially denied permission for their proposed march.

The decision comes in the wake of a highly sensitive incident last Wednesday, where a young woman was allegedly gang-raped inside the union room of a law college in Kasba. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, including an outsider and two students of the college. The horrifying incident has ignited widespread public outrage and triggered protests from various political parties across the state.

The BJP had initially planned to hold a procession from Kalighat to the Kasba police station under Suvendu Adhikari's leadership to protest the incident. However, the police refused permission, citing potential law and order issues. This led the Opposition Leader to seek recourse from the Calcutta High Court.

During Tuesday's hearing, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh questioned the necessity of a procession to the police station, given that the accused individuals had already been arrested. Observing that the initially proposed area was highly congested and had faced "problems in Kolkata in the last two days" (likely referring to other protests or traffic issues), the judge ordered the BJP to select a new, less disruptive location for their rally.

Despite the restrictions, the Calcutta High Court's decision marks a partial victory for the BJP, allowing them to proceed with their protest. In response to the court's ruling, the BJP Yuva Morcha has now announced its revised plan: a procession from Rash Behari to Kasba Law College on Wednesday. Participants are expected to gather at Rashbihari at 1 PM, with the march commencing at 3 PM. A public meeting is planned in front of Kasba Law College following the procession.