Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the police order of regulating vehicular movement on Red Road from June 14 to June 21 for the International Day of Yoga considering the immediacy of the programme. However, the HC questioned the state: “Why is this programme not being organised at Brigade Parade ground?… The importance of the programme would have been lowered if it was organised at Brigade?”An advocates’ association, represented by senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, moved the single bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, questioning the cop decision to regulate vehicle movement for eight days.Justice Bhattacharyya has directed the cops to ensure an alternative route for commuters. After the event is organized on June 21, the police authorities are directed to take immediate steps thereafter for freeing Red Road for public use.“There are many international days like International Language Day, International Women’s Day, International Mothers’ Day, International Human Rights Day. For which preparations should the road be blocked for seven days?” senior advocate Bhattacharyya questioned.Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya remarked, “At least the programme is apolitical. We, the residents of Kolkata, are used to road blockades for political reasons. At least for apolitical programme, these regulations have been placed.”But after Additional Advocate General (AAG) Billwadal Bhattacharya pointed out the association’s petition stating that while the namaz was removed from Red Road, the Yoga day is being celebrated there blocking the road, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya asked: “Importance of the programme would have been lowered if it was organised at Brigade?” AAG submitted that it was a state programme and not organised by some individuals or private programme or religious one.
