The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned the West Bengal BJP’s decision to hold a public meeting on July 21, the day on which the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is organising a Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata. The State’s ruling party holds a large rally every year to commemorate the death of 13 workers who were killed in a police firing on July 21, 1993 during the erstwhile Left Front government’s regime.
The West Bengal unit of the BJP had sought permission from the administration to organise a rally at Uluberia in the State’s Howrah district on July 21. Upon refusal by the administration, the BJP leadership approached Calcutta High Court. On Tuesday, Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya asked why the BJP wanted to hold a rally on July 21, and why not hold it any other date. When the lawyers appearing for the BJP said that the event was being organised to spread awareness on the development ushered in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Court said that such an event can be held on any day. The matter will come up again for hearing tomorrow.
