Kolkata, Oct. 15 -- The Calcutta High Court on Thursday allowed the CPI(M) to set up a book stall within 100 metre of its party office in Bongaon during Durga Puja, warning that selective restrictions on political groups could lead to "anarchy".
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya said the expression of diverse political ideologies was essential to a mature democracy and expected the ruling dispensation to ensure an atmosphere in which people could freely express their political views without hesitation.
The court directed the Superintendent of Police of Bongaon Police District and the inspector-in-charge of Bongaon police station to maintain peace and deploy additional personnel, if necessary, to prevent interference with the CPI(M)'s sale of books during the festive period. The SP must submit a report on the steps taken. The matter will be heard again on November 23.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.