Prophet Remark Row: Advocate Writes To Calcutta High Court CJ For Urgent Hearing Of PIL Seeking Deployment Of Central Forces In WB Over Violent Protests

A letter has been addressed to the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court on Saturday seeking immediate constitution of a Bench to urgently adjudicate upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking deployment of central forces in light of the ongoing protests in Howrah against remarks by BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammed. 

According to reports, violence erupted at several places in Howrah district of West Bengal with protesters clashing with police personnel, setting kiosks, two-wheelers and several vehicles on fire. In Uleberia and Panchla areas, local BJP party offices were also set on fire allegedly by protesters who demanded action against former BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal.

Due to the ongoing protests, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been imposed on the area and internet services have also been suspended. 

The letter written by advocate Susmita Saha Dutta avers that the law and order is at stake in West Bengal and that the lawlessness is beyond the control of the State administration. It further stipulates, 

"My Lord, hope Your Lordship will appreciate that law and order in the State of West Bengal is at stake and this lawlessness is beyond the control of the State administration; resultant the present disturbance which has now taken the shape of communal riot will spread like bonfire in the event this Hon'ble Court does not make judicial intervention at once". 

It was further prayed that the proceedings be conducted virtually so that the media and the general public can be a witness to the proceedings. The letter also highlighted an incident reported in local media wherein a senior citizen passed away in the waiting Secunderabad-Shalimar Superfast Express near Deulti station while returning home from Hyderabad where he had gone to seek treatment while the railway lines were blocked by protesters for hours.

The PIL filed by petitioner Pallabi Chatterjee seek deployment of central paramilitary forces to tackle the alleged lawlessness that has taken the shape of communal riots. It has further sought for an investigation by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) to probe into the incidents of violence. 

The petitioner has further submitted that the police authorities are mute spectators and that such inaction on the part of police authorities are violative of the fundamental right to life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution. 

"It is pertinent to mention herein that such untoward incidents are taking place in many districts of West Bengal including Nadia, North-24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata. It is pertinent to mention here that the State police is standing mute spectator while these incidents are happening. It is extremely disheartening that BJP party offices have been burnt in places including Uluberia and Panchla", the plea reads further. 

Case Title: Pallabi Chatterjee v. State of West Bengal