Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Calcutta High Court Sends Mamata Rally Dispute Back
Mamata Banerjee’s party wanted to hold a rally in Serampore on Friday.
A judge first said the rally could happen at a particular ground with strict rules.
Only 2,000 people could attend, and the rally could last from 1pm to 3pm.
The organizers also had to control the sound and prevent comments that might disturb communal peace.
The state government disagreed and challenged the permission.
The Jagannath Temple Trust also asked the court to stop political rallies at the ground.
A larger court bench sent the matter back to the first judge for another look.
This means the rally’s final status was still uncertain.
A Calcutta High Court division bench sent the dispute over Mamata Banerjee’s proposed Serampore rally back to the single bench for reconsideration.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya had conditionally permitted the Trinamool Congress rally at Jagannath Dev Snan Piri Maidan on Friday.
The permission allowed up to 2,000 attendees from 1pm to 3pm and prohibited holding the rally on GT Road.
The state opposed the rally, citing half-yearly examinations at two nearby schools, and challenged the single-bench order.
The state must file an affidavit by September 15, the Trinamool Congress must reply by September 16, and the issue is to be settled by September 17.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress sought to hold the rally; the state government challenged the permission, and the Jagannath Temple Trust sought a ban on political rallies at the venue.
- What
- A Calcutta High Court division bench directed the state to seek reconsideration of a single-judge order conditionally permitting the rally.
- When
- The permission was granted on Thursday for a Friday rally; the state must file by September 15, the Trinamool Congress by September 16, and the issue is to be settled by September 17.
- Where
- Jagannath Dev Snan Piri Maidan at Mahesh in Serampore, Hooghly; GT Road was excluded as a venue.
- Why
- The state cited half-yearly examinations at two nearby schools, while the Trinamool Congress alleged that other organisations were being allowed to hold rallies but it was being denied permission.
Trinamool Congress and Rally Supporters
State Government and Venue Opponents
Permission to hold the rally
Trinamool Congress and Rally Supporters
The Trinamool Congress said political parties and organisations were being allowed to hold rallies, while it was being denied permission. Its counsel also said campaign rallies had previously taken place at the ground.
State Government and Venue Opponents
The state opposed the rally, citing half-yearly examinations at two nearby schools. The Jagannath Temple Trust separately sought a ban on political rallies at the venue.
Whether the rally could proceed
Trinamool Congress and Rally Supporters
The single judge granted conditional permission for the rally at a specified ground, time and attendance level.
State Government and Venue Opponents
The state challenged that order, and the division bench sent the matter back to the single judge for reconsideration, leaving the rally’s final status uncertain.
Conditions on the gathering
Trinamool Congress and Rally Supporters
The rally could proceed under limits on attendance, timing, location and sound, with volunteers responsible for compliance.
State Government and Venue Opponents
The court required safeguards against remarks that could disturb communal harmony and prohibited the rally from being held on GT Road.
- Proposed venue
- Jagannath Dev Snan Piri Maidan, Mahesh, Serampore
- Permitted attendance
- Up to 2,000 people
- Permitted time
- 1pm to 3pm on Friday
- Prohibited venue
- GT Road
- Court conditions
- Sound restrictions, no remarks that could disturb communal harmony, and at least 10 responsible volunteers must be identified.
- Division bench action
- The bench directed the state to approach the single bench for reconsideration rather than seeking immediate review from the division bench.
- Filing deadlines
- The state’s affidavit is due September 15, the Trinamool Congress reply is due September 16, and the issue is to be settled by September 17.