The Calcutta High Court on Friday allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct a rally in Burdwan, scheduled for the upcoming Sunday, despite the West Bengal government’s initial refusal to permit the use of a public address system at the event. The rally, set to feature RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, had been at the center of a contentious debate following concerns voiced by the Mamata Banerjee-led government regarding noise disruptions during the state’s Class 10 board examinations.
The court’s decision marks a significant rebuff to the state government, which had denied the use of loudspeakers at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) grounds, citing potential disturbances to the ongoing Madhyamik examinations. The district administration had similarly rejected the application for microphone usage at the rally, aligning with the government’s stance.
Justice Amrita Sinha of the Calcutta High Court ruled that since the rally would occur on a Sunday and last only 75 minutes, it was unlikely to cause significant inconvenience. The judge emphasized the need for the event to proceed peacefully and mandated that the sound levels be kept to a minimum to avoid any exam disruptions.
The RSS had approached the High Court after their request was initially turned down by the state authorities, seeking judicial intervention to facilitate the planned gathering. The court’s directive to allow the rally with controlled sound levels represents a compromise, balancing the RSS’s right to assemble and the state’s educational commitments.
