Calcutta High Court hears TMC plea on July 21 rally, Mamata faction suggests Birla Planetarium as alternate venue

Calcutta High Court hears a challenge to a police ban on a July 21 rally in central Kolkata, with the TMC’s Mamata Banerjee faction proposing alternative venues near Birla Planetarium. During a hearing before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, counsel Kalyan Banerjee said the Martyrs’ Day rally has been held in front of Victoria House on Esplanade since 1993, except for a few years. He argued that Kolkata Police’s prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS should be reconsidered, noting permission has already been granted for two other July 21 events near Mayo Road and Shahid Minar ground. The court stated it would not permit the rally at Victoria House because it could choke Chittaranjan Avenue. The hearing was adjourned until 12:30 pm as the Advocate General is expected to respond to the proposed options, including Metro Channel, Dorina Crossing, and a road near Birla Planetarium, about two kilometres away.