Calcutta High Court to Hear TMC Plea on July 15 Over July 21 Martyrs' Day Rally

The Calcutta High Court will hear on July 15 a petition filed by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) seeking permission to hold its annual July 21 Martyrs' Day rally in front of Victoria House at Esplanade in central Kolkata.

The petition, filed on July 10 , was mentioned before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya on Monday by the party's counsel, who requested an early hearing. The court fixed the matter for hearing on July 15.

In its plea, the TMC has challenged the Kolkata Police's prohibitory order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), arguing that it has prevented the party from securing permission for the annual gathering at its traditional venue.

The party contended that its application seeking approval to organise the rally has remained pending with the police authorities. The TMC has been holding the Martyrs' Day rally at Victoria House every year to commemorate those killed in police firing during a Youth Congress protest on July 21, 1993 , before the party was formed.

The legal challenge comes amid reports that a dissident TMC faction has also announced plans to organise a separate Martyrs' Day rally on July 21 , raising the possibility of competing events in Kolkata.

The High Court's decision on the petition is expected to determine whether the ruling party will be allowed to hold its flagship annual political event at its customary venue in the heart of the city, while balancing public order and security concerns cited by the authorities.