Calcutta High Court permits BJP to carryout ‘Rath Yatras’

Kolkata: After the much hype behind BJP’s ‘Rath Yatras’ in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court has now allowed BJP to hold three Rath Yatras.

The ruling state government had earlier denied permission for BJP’s rath yatras, citing ‘intelligence reports’ about possible communal disruption over Yatra following which the BJP moved court against the government.

The Court directed that authorities will be informed in advance 24 hours prior to Yatra in the respective districts to ensure law and order in the region.

However, the Court made it clear that BJP will be equally responsible for any loss or damage to property caused in the aftermath of Rath Yatras in the state.

State BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said that party will abide by the court’s directives.

BJP vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said the proposed ‘rath yatra’ will be carried out Saturday, next Monday and Wednesday.

“We have already prepared three dates for ‘ganatantra bachao yatra (save democracy rally)’ from Cooch Behar on December 22, from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district on December 24 and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum district on December 26 to protest against the Trinamool Congress government’s decision to deny permission for the rath yatra,” he said.

Meanwhile, TMC leader and Food Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick said, “The state government had done the right thing by not giving them (BJP) the approval. The intention of the BJP is to create communal tensions in the state.”