Kolkata, 25 July (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Saturday refused to allow a protest march proposed by the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), along with the party's youth and IT wings, over the alleged NEET question paper leak. The court cited the prevailing law and order situation while rejecting the plea.
The rally was scheduled to proceed from Padmapukur through CIT Road to Moulali Crossing. Party workers had started gathering at Padmapukur from the afternoon, with senior leaders including Dola Sen, Kunal Ghosh and Baishwanar Chattopadhyay present at the venue.
The Trinamool Congress alleged that the Kolkata Police had initially granted permission for the march but later withdrew it. According to the party, TMCP Kalighat unit president Priyanka Adhikari received an email stating that permission had been revoked in view of the violence that occurred during Friday's protests.
Following the withdrawal of permission, the TMCP moved the Calcutta High Court seeking approval for the march. Hearing the matter during a special holiday sitting, Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya dismissed the petition, observing that in light of the unrest witnessed during Friday's demonstrations, granting permission for another procession would not be appropriate.
The court's decision came against the backdrop of violent clashes reported during protests organised by Left-backed student organisations on Friday over the alleged NEET paper leak.
After the court order, police began dispersing the gathering at Padmapukur. A scuffle reportedly broke out between police personnel and Trinamool workers, following which Kunal Ghosh and Baishwanar Chattopadhyay were taken into custody.
On receiving information about the developments, Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee reached Padmapukur along with party leader Derek O'Brien. She interacted with party workers and accused the police of attempting to suppress opposition protests.
Police, however, maintained that after the High Court's order, the gathering had become unlawful and action was taken to enforce the court's directions.
Addressing the media, Mamata Banerjee asserted that her party had not blocked any roads and was staging only a peaceful sit-in. She questioned why other political parties were allowed to hold rallies while the Trinamool Congress was denied permission.
Meanwhile, Banerjee clarified that she would travel to New Delhi on Monday as per her pre-scheduled programme. Her statement came amid speculation over whether her visit would be affected following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. She said there had been no change in her travel plans.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
