Kolkata: HC Denies Police Request, Allows 50,000 Physicians' Rally For Justice In RG Kar Case Tomorrow

 On September 30, the Calcutta High Court gave its nod for a protest rally in Kolkata, organized by the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD), to take place on October 1. The protest is in response to the shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Kolkata: HC Denies Police Request, Allows 50,000 Physicians' Rally For Justice In RG Kar Case Tomorrow

Court's Ruling on the Rally

The rally, aimed at drawing attention to the horrific crime, will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM, following a route from College Square in north Kolkata to Rabindra Sadan in the south, passing through Central Avenue and Esplanade. The ruling was delivered by Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj, who emphasized the importance of maintaining peace during the protest.

Despite objections from Kolkata police, who sought to limit both the size of the rally and the length of the route, the court did not impose any such restrictions. Instead, it directed the Kolkata Police, under the leadership of the Joint Commissioner (Headquarters), to ensure adequate security arrangements for a smooth and peaceful demonstration.

Responsibilities of the Organizers

The court also tasked the organizers, an alliance of medical professionals under the Association of Health Service Doctors, West Bengal, with providing sufficient volunteers to manage the rally’s participants and ensure that the protest remains peaceful.

Dispute Over Restrictions

The organizers had initially applied for permission to hold the rally with around 50,000 participants. However, the Kolkata Police had granted approval for only 1,000 people, limiting the march to a shorter route from College Square to Rani Rashmoni Avenue at Esplanade. 

Challenging this restriction, the JPD took the matter to the High Court, arguing that since the public was voluntarily joining the protest, it was impractical to enforce a participant limit. The group contended that their right to protest peacefully, especially on such a serious issue, should not be curtailed.

State’s Stance and Supreme Court Precedent

On behalf of the state, Advocate General Kishore Dutta defended the imposed restrictions, stating that the government has the authority to regulate rallies and protests to maintain public order. However, Justice Bharadwaj referred to a Supreme Court ruling related to the RG Kar rape-murder case, which upheld the right to peaceful protests and urged authorities not to disrupt demonstrations held in a peaceful manner.

A Protest Fueled by Outrage

The rally is a direct response to the brutal murder of a young postgraduate medical trainee, whose body was found with severe injuries on August 9 in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This horrific incident has sparked widespread outrage among the medical community and the public alike, leading to calls for justice and action against such violence.

With the High Court’s approval, the stage is set for a significant demonstration in Kolkata, where the voices of many will unite to demand justice and safety for those in the medical profession.