Calcutta High Court Denies Permission For 'Hanuman Jayanti' Event To Be Held On Red Road On April 12

The Calcutta High Court has denied permission to hold a 'Hanuman Chalisa paath' event to be held at Red Road on 12th April (tomorrow). Petitioner had approached the court for permission to hold the even with around 3000 participants, after not hearing back from the police authorities.

Later, the police authorities granted permission for the event, but at a different location to prevent public inconvenience.

Petitioner contended that another community was allowed to hold an event at the same place on 31st March, but the petitioner was denied permission to organise his program at the same venue.

Petitioner stated that 12th April would be the birthdate of Lord Hanuman and thus would be a significant day to hold the event.

It was stated that on the same road, the annual Durga Puja carnival would also be allowed to be held without objection from the police. It was submitted that the property where the program is to be held belongs to the army and permissions had been granted for the event.

It was stated that the police are there to look after the law and order issue and that there should not be any inconvenience as the program is to be held between 5am to 11am.

State opposed the submissions and argued that in order to organise such an event the first time, and for sticking to a venue, the petitioner has to establish a right as there is no particular significance pointed out.

It was also stated that unless the place had an essential importance in the religion, no person could be allowed to claim a public venue as a matter of right.

Considering the submissions, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh held that for establishing a right to hold any religious practice for the first time at a public place, the establishment of such right is required to be made once a court of law is called to decide on an issue when refused by the administration.

The same cannot be done without exchanging affidavits. Accordingly, the court called for affidavits on the issue. 

It also denied the interim prayer for holding the event on Red Road on 12th April.