Kolkata Police has turned down requests from rival Trinamool Congress (TMC) factions one aligned with Mamata Banerjee and the other with Ritabrata Banerjee to host the annual July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally outside Victoria House. Following the denial, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda clamped down on the area by enforcing Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for the next two months.
The official mandate prohibits gatherings of five or more people in Central Kolkata from July 2 to August 30, warning of strict legal consequences for violators. The pro-Mamata TMC faction has sharply reacted to the clampdown, threatening to take the matter to court.
Intelligence Reports Prompt 60-Day Ban
Defending the implementation of Section 163, Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda noted that the department received verified intelligence suggesting imminent violent demonstrations that could threaten public peace. The 60-day restriction was initiated as a precautionary measure to preserve law and order.
Under this order, running from July 2 until August 30, any assembly of five or more persons is deemed unlawful. Additionally, carrying sticks, rods, or other hazardous weapons in the designated zone is strictly banned.
TMC Factions Slam the Prohibitory Orders
The decision has sparked fierce backlash from the TMC leadership, who accused the state government of stifling dissent. Serampore TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee condemned the move as an autocratic overreach. “Banning rallies and limiting gatherings to under five people across Central Kolkata is entirely unconstitutional,” Banerjee said. “Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is clearly intimidated by democratic opposition. Political movements exist to defy such unjust laws. We are absolutely going to challenge this order legally and politically. We retain full faith in the judicial system you cannot choke a democratic struggle like this.”
Adding to the criticism, Krishnanagar TMC MP Mahua Moitra targeted the ruling administration’s handling of the situation.”They have just tasted power and are eager to show off their authority. Let a few months pass. Fortunately, the judiciary still exists in this nation, and as long as it does, we will secure justice,” Moitra said.