BJP hails HC order allowing RSS programme in city

Kolkata: Hailing the Calcutta High Court’s order today allowing the RSS to hold its programme here tomorrow, which is to be attended by its chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said democracy has prevailed over “gundacracy” of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

“Democracy has prevailed over gundacracy of TMC. In West Bengal if you want to hold a rally you have to go to the court and not to the state administration as TMC will not give permission for the programme,” Singh told PTI.

After police refused permission, the High Court allowed the RSS to hold a programme, which is to be attended by its supremo Mohan Bhagwat, but with some conditions.

Singh observed that the tendency of the ruling party not to allow opposition parties hold any programme or meeting was a “reflection of an autocratic mindset”.

“They feel it is only their right to hold rallies and meetings in Bengal or Kolkata. But BJP, RSS workers are made of different material and they can’t stop us from raising our voice,” he asserted.

In his order, Justice Joymalyo Bagchi said the programme scheduled to be held from 2 PM to 6 PM can be hosted at Brigade Parade Ground in the heart of the city subject to some restrictions including a cap of 4,000 on the number of attendees.

The Kolkata police had refused permission to the organisers to hold the programme, both for an earlier venue of Bhukailash Park in the western part of the city and Brigade Parade Ground.

Expressing displeasure at the Commissioner of Kolkata Police Rajeev Kumar not complying with its earlier order with regard to the RSS’s application for permission to hold the programme, Justice Bagchi also issued a suo motu contempt notice against him.