The Calcutta High Court has issued a significant ruling on Thursday, permitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to proceed with a planned protest march to the Narendrapur police station. This demonstration is scheduled for January 30 and is organized in response to the devastating fire at the Nazirabad godown, which resulted in the tragic deaths of several workers.
Court Directives for the Protest March
Justice Suvra Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court has laid down specific conditions for the protest to ensure it remains peaceful and orderly. The court has mandated that the number of participants be limited to 2,000 individuals, a reduction from the initially proposed 3,000. This decision aims to maintain public safety and prevent any potential disruptions in the area.
Route and Logistics of the Rally
The protest march is set to commence at the Sitala Mandir and will proceed along the EM Bypass. However, the rally will conclude approximately 200 meters short of the Narendrapur police station to avoid any direct confrontation or obstruction at the police premises. Justice Ghosh has also stipulated that if the BJP decides to alter the starting point from Sitala Mandir to the EM Bypass, they must inform the local police authorities by 7 pm on Thursday. Additionally, a small delegation of five members will be allowed to enter the police station to formally submit a deputation, ensuring their grievances are heard directly by the authorities.
Political Context and Demands
Earlier on Thursday, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, visited the Nazirabad site along with other party leaders. During his visit, Adhikari expressed strong criticism of the state government's handling of the incident. He highlighted that Section 163 had been imposed, which restricted opposition members from accessing the godown premises, thereby limiting their ability to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Key Demands from the Opposition
Adhikari outlined several demands on behalf of the BJP, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims' families. He called for the resignation of Sujit Bose, the fire and emergency services minister, citing that Bose visited the site only 32 hours after the fire broke out, which the opposition views as a delay in response. Furthermore, Adhikari demanded stringent action against those responsible for the deaths and advocated for an increase in compensation from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh per affected family, arguing that the current amount is insufficient to address the losses suffered.
Broader Implications and Public Safety
This protest march comes at a time of heightened political tension in Kolkata, with the Nazirabad fire incident sparking widespread outrage and calls for better safety measures in industrial areas. The Calcutta High Court's intervention to regulate the protest underscores the judiciary's role in balancing the right to peaceful assembly with the need to maintain law and order. As the city prepares for the rally, authorities are likely to deploy additional security measures to ensure the event proceeds without incident, reflecting the ongoing challenges in managing public demonstrations in urban settings.
