The Calcutta High Court’s decision allowing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold its rally in West Bengal with certain restrictions on sound levels has stirred political discourse in the state. The ruling, which comes after the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government denied permission for the use of microphones at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s public meeting in Burdwan, highlights the ongoing friction between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Sangh Parivar. The state administration had cited the ongoing Madhyamik (Class 10) board examinations as the primary reason for denying the use of loudspeakers, arguing that high noise levels could disturb students preparing for their exams.
However, the court found that the concerns raised by the state government were not substantial enough to justify a complete prohibition on the use of public address systems. Justice Amrita Sinha noted that the rally, scheduled for February 16, is set to take place on a Sunday and will last only 1 hour and 15 minutes. Given these factors, the court ruled that the event should not cause any significant disturbance to students appearing for their exams. The court directed that the rally be conducted in a peaceful manner, with sound levels kept as low as possible to minimize any potential disruption.
The decision is seen as a setback for the TMC government, which had attempted to restrict the RSS event on administrative grounds. This move was widely interpreted by opposition leaders and RSS supporters as politically motivated. The High Court’s ruling, in contrast, reinforces the principle of freedom of assembly and expression, affirming that a complete ban on the use of microphones would be disproportionate, especially given the limited duration of the event.
The controversy surrounding the rally has sparked reactions from various political quarters. The RSS and its supporters have welcomed the court’s decision, viewing it as a victory for democratic rights and an acknowledgment of what they claim to be an unfair targeting of their organization by the state government. The BJP, which shares ideological ties with the RSS, has also criticized the West Bengal government, accusing it of trying to suppress dissenting voices under the guise of maintaining order during examinations.
On the other hand, the TMC has defended its stance, insisting that its decision was purely administrative and not politically motivated. Party leaders argue that students’ interests should take precedence over political gatherings and that any event that could contribute to noise pollution during a crucial examination period should be discouraged. The ruling party has also pointed out that similar restrictions have been imposed in the past on various events to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for students.
The upcoming rally at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) grounds is expected to draw large crowds, with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat set to address attendees. His speech is likely to touch upon key ideological and political issues, including the RSS’s vision for the nation, its stance on governance, and its critique of the policies of the current state administration. The event also comes at a time when West Bengal is witnessing heightened political activity in the run-up to the upcoming elections, making the rally even more significant in the state’s political landscape.
This incident underscores the broader tensions between the RSS-BJP camp and the TMC government in West Bengal, a state that has been a battleground for ideological and political clashes in recent years. The High Court’s ruling is not just about a single event; it highlights the broader issue of governance, political neutrality in administrative decisions, and the delicate balance between maintaining law and order and upholding democratic freedoms. As the rally unfolds, it remains to be seen how the event will impact the already charged political atmosphere in West Bengal.
