HC allows BJP Rath Yatra, new tentative dates set

The Calcutta High Court Thursday allowed BJP's 'Rath Yatra' programme in West Bengal, setting aside the state government's decision to refuse permission for the rallies over apprehensions of communal unrest.

Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty in his order noted that courts can interfere if administrative authorities exercise their discretionary powers in a whimsical manner.

Following the court order, the BJP came up with tentative new dates from December 28 to 31 for its proposed three-phase programme.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that though the dates have not been finalised, the Rath Yatra, which is now christened the 'Ganatantra Bachao Yatra' (Save Democracy Rally), will be held as per its earlier schedule and move across all the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.

"We welcome the court's verdict... Today we had a meeting with the party functionaries. The tentative new dates (for the Rath Yatra) are December 28, 29 and 31. Nothing has been finalised as of now. We will inform the state government about it," Vijayvargiya said.

According to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources party national president Amit Shah will flag off the three yatras in the state.

Welcoming the order, the BJP hit out the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for denying permission for its rallies and also questioned the "silence" of opposition on the issue.

"Why are human rights activists and opposition parties silent on denial of a right to a political party to organise its programme in West Bengal. If any NDA/BJP Government had stopped an opposition programme, it would have been called an Undeclared Emergency. Why silence now?" BJP leader and Union Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted.

West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh hailed the HC order and said that the programme will begin "very soon" and will be held according to "schedule".

Ghosh said, "We thank the court for its verdict. It is a historic one. The Gantantra Bachao Yatra will start very soon and will be held as per schedule."