Kolkata Police has denied permission to hold the traditional July 21 ‘Martyrs’ Day’ rally at Dharmatala this year, informing both factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) that no political gathering blocking traffic will be allowed in the busy central Kolkata stretch. The decision affects both the ‘Kalighat Trinamool’ faction led by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the group led by Ritabrata Banerjee, who had separately sought permission to organise the annual event on July 21 in front of Victoria House at Dharmatala.
According to sources in Lalbazar, the city police headquarters, permission was denied on the grounds that a large political gathering would disrupt traffic and public movement in one of Kolkata’s busiest areas.
The development comes amid an ongoing internal rift within the TMC, which had already triggered a tussle between the two factions over control of the iconic annual rally. Both groups had staked a claim to the venue, leading to heightened political tension in recent weeks.
The situation escalated last Sunday when leaders and workers from the Kalighat faction visited the Dharmatala site and began taking measurements for stage construction. The activity, carried out on a busy road, allegedly caused traffic disruptions and drew complaints from the public.
Observers believe the move has temporarily eased tensions between the rival factions, as authorities were concerned about potential law-and-order issues if separate rallies were held at the same venue on the same day.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing legal scrutiny. A petition related to a 2018 rally at Dharmatala — allegedly held in violation of a Calcutta High Court directive — has resurfaced, prompting the court to issue notices to Mamata and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.
With the traditional venue now ruled out, uncertainty looms over this year’s July 21 programme, a politically significant event in West Bengal. All eyes are now on the TMC leadership to decide the next course of action.
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