Calcutta HC Refuses Urgent Hearing Of PIL on Muharram Drumming Restrictions

The Calcutta High Court on Monday refused to grant an expedited hearing to a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought to impose restrictions on the use of drums during the Muharram festival.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya acknowledged that the petition was listed as item number 856 in the High Court’s cause list for the month of July.

“From last few weeks we are only hearing election matters and we are unable to hear cases beyond serial number 5 of daily board. Your matter is at 856, we cannot upgrade the board (grant urgent hearing),” the bench stated.

In response, the woman advocate, who mentioned the matter, requested the bench to consider prioritizing the case by upgrading its position on the list for prompt hearing.

“Milords, every year this has become unbearable. From morning till late night there is continuous drum beating owing to young boys and men. We can’t even say anything to them. This happens every year at least 15 days prior to Muharram,” the advocate pointed out.

The bench, however, did not accede to the request for urgent listing.