Calcutta HC to hear plea against BJP’s rath yatras – Times of India

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court is likely to hear a PIL seeking directions on the Bengal government to deny permission for BJP’s proposed rath yatras. The petition says the yatras violate Covid protocols and may flare up communal violence.
Bengal BJP on Thursday sought permission from the district administrations of Nadia, Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas for the proposed ‘paribartan yatras’. BJP’s national president JP Nadda will reach Nabadwip on Saturday after attending a farmers’ event in Malda.
“A PIL has been filed and the case will be heard on February 9. The state government will now have to give us permission for the rally,” said Brajesh Jha, the advocate appearing for BJP.
The state BJP had on February 1 written to the government seeking permission to organise these yatras from five different points which will criss-cross several districts for 20-25 days. The first was proposed to commence from Nabadwip Town on February 6 and terminate in Barrackpore. The last was to commence from Tarapith on February 9 and terminate in Purulia.
A day after, the state government asked BJP to seek permission from local authorities who are entrusted with maintaining law and order for assemblies and processions.
“Nadda ji will visit Bengal again on February 9 when the Tarapith-Jhargram rally will start. Union home minister Amit Shah is likely to join the rally on February 11,” said Bengal BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu.
TMC leaders, asked if they anticipated communal strife due to the yatras, chose not to respond saying the matter was sub judice.