Calcutta High Court Allows Live Broadcast Of Ram Mandir Inauguration, Performance Of 'Puja Archana,' 'Arati' & 'Kirtan' In South Kolkata Park

The Calcutta High Court has allowed a plea moved by the Kalighat Bahumukhi Seva Samiti to hold a live telecast of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and to perform puja by constructing a temporary stage at Deshpran Sasmal Park, Kolkata on 22nd January.

A single bench of Justice Jay Sengupta held:

It appears that at least the venue of the programme being the Deshpran Sasmal Park could be agreed upon by the parties. The petitioner is, therefore, permitted to hold the function on 22nd January, 2024 from 9 am to 6 pm on a portion (roughly, half) of the Deshpran Sasmal Park. The number of participants in the programme shall not exceed 60(sixty). The Police Authorities shall render necessary help, if required. The petitioner shall abide by the necessary norms regarding the use of the sound equipments and other prevailing laws.      

The petitioners had argued that they prayed before the police authorities to be allowed to hold a ceremony for displaying the inauguration ceremony on a giant screen and to hold 'Puja Archana', 'Sankirtan' and 'Arati', then 'Bhog Prasad bitaran,' which was objected to by the State.

It was submitted that after further consultation, the petitioners had changed their initially proposed venue and agreed to hold the event in Deshpran Sasmal Park between 9 am-6 pm.

State counsel submitted that the alternative venue was acceptable, but the organisers would be required to conclude their programme by 4 pm since the park was also used by children for activities like gymnastics. 

Petitioners argued that they would only occupy a portion of the park and only be 50-60 in number and no hindrance would be caused to others using the park.

Accordingly, the Court permitted the petitioners to hold their event on roughly half of the park between 9 am-6 pm and capped the attendees to 60.

Petitioners were directed to ensure the park returned to normalcy once their event was over. 

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Cal) 17