Calcutta HC allows BJP’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’ with 1,000 cap and time limits

The Calcutta High Court has granted conditional permission to the Bharatiya Janata Party to hold its proposed ‘Parivartan Yatra’ ahead of the Assembly elections, setting strict limits on crowd size and timing. Hearing the matter on Friday, Justice Subhra Ghosh ruled that the yatra may proceed from March 1 to March 3, but gatherings must not exceed 1,000 people under any circumstances. The court directed local police to ensure law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.

In addition to capping attendance, the court imposed time restrictions, allowing rallies and processions only between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The order comes after legal uncertainty over the political march, bringing clarity to the party’s campaign plans.

However, organisational adjustments have been made due to the Dol festival and Holi. Party sources indicated that while initial programmes are scheduled for March 1 and 2, the yatra will remain suspended on March 3 and 4 and resume on March 5. The state has been divided into 10 organisational divisions, with nine to be covered under the yatra. The Kolkata metropolitan division has been excluded, as it will oversee arrangements for the concluding rally at Brigade Parade Ground.

Preparations are underway for multiple launch points. On March 1, the yatra will begin from Cooch Behar, Krishnanagar, Kulti and Garbeta, followed by programmes in Islampur, Hasan, Sandeshkhali and Amta on March 2. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, earlier expected to inaugurate the campaign on March 1 from Raidighi, is now likely to lead the programme on March 2 following changes in his schedule.

The yatra is set to culminate on March 14 with a major public rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend. Political observers note that unlike the 2021 strategy centred on large-scale inductions, the party this time appears focused on direct public outreach through the ‘Parivartan Yatra,’ a move likely to intensify the state’s political climate in the days ahead.