The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government on Wednesday to take all necessary measures to maintain peace in localities during the festive season.
The court emphasized the state’s responsibility to ensure that people can celebrate the festivals without any disruptions.
This directive came during the hearing of a petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. Adhikari alleged that tensions flared in the Rajabazar and Narkeldanga areas following Kali Puja, with a large mob attacking certain groups of people.
Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the state, countered these claims, asserting that allegations of clashes between different communities were unfounded. He explained that the incident arose from a scuffle between 2 individuals, which escalated into violence, injuring several police officers.
Dutta also reported that six FIRs had been registered and 23 individuals arrested in connection with the disturbance.
The division bench, consisting of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, ordered the state to submit a report in the form of an affidavit by November 18, with Adhikari expected to file a response by November 21.
The court plans to hear the matter again on that date.
In the meantime, the court instructed the state to take all necessary steps to maintain peace, particularly in the areas highlighted in the petition. With the festive season underway, including the ongoing Chhath Puja and the upcoming Jagaddhatri Puja in Chandannagar, the court reiterated the need for a harmonious celebration.
Adhikari also alleged that there were attacks on Durga Puja pandals and deities, suggesting a coordinated effort to disrupt the security and integrity of the region. He requested that the investigation into these incidents be handed over to the National Investigation Agency.
In response, Adhikari’s lawyer, Billwadal Bhattacharya, noted that police had reported attempts to create a misleading narrative about the Narkeldanga incident on social media, emphasizing that no Kali idol immersion procession had been attacked.
The altercation, he stated, stemmed from a dispute over the parking of a motorcycle between two individuals.
This ruling underscores the court’s commitment to ensuring public safety during a significant time of cultural celebration while addressing the legal and social complexities surrounding communal tensions in the region.
