Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to intervene in the police order regulating vehicular movement on Red Road from June 14 to June 21 for the International Day of Yoga, citing the immediacy of the event. However, the court questioned the state government: "Why is this programme not being organised at Brigade Parade ground? Would the importance of the programme have been diminished if it were held at Brigade?"
An advocates' association, represented by senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, moved the single bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, challenging the police decision to restrict vehicle movement for eight days.
Justice Bhattacharyya directed the police to ensure an alternative route for commuters. After the event on June 21, the police authorities must take immediate steps to reopen Red Road for public use.
"There are many international days like International Language Day, International Women's Day, International Mothers' Day, International Human Rights Day. For which preparations should the road be blocked for seven days?" asked senior advocate Bhattacharyya.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya remarked: "At least the programme is apolitical. We, the residents of Kolkata, are used to road blockades for political reasons. At least for an apolitical programme, these regulations have been placed."
However, after Additional Advocate General (AAG) Billwadal Bhattacharya pointed out that the association's petition noted that while namaz was removed from Red Road, Yoga Day is being celebrated there blocking the road, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya asked: "Would the importance of the programme have been lowered if it was organised at Brigade?" AAG submitted that it was a state programme, not organised by individuals or a private or religious event.
