The Kalighat unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), headed by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday approached the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to hold a protest march against the alleged rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur, after police denied permission for the rally scheduled on Wednesday.
The proposed march is expected to be led by Banerjee. Following the police’s refusal, the TMC’s Kalighat leadership urgently moved the High Court on Tuesday. The court has allowed the petition to be filed, and a hearing is likely to take place in the second-half of the court proceedings.
According to sources, MP and advocate Kalyan Banerjee mentioned the matter before the bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, alleging that the police had denied permission for a peaceful march. After a brief hearing, the court permitted the filing of the case, setting the stage for further legal proceedings later in the day.
The exact objective of the proposed march remains unclear. However, political observers suggest that the Kalighat faction may be attempting to assert its presence amid recent controversies and signs of internal discord within the party.
The development comes shortly after Banerjee led a candlelight protest on Monday over the Baruipur incident. The march began from her Kalighat residence but ran into resistance as central forces blocked her at the entrance of the lane, creating a tense standoff. Despite the obstruction, Banerjee and her supporters proceeded towards Harish Chatterjee Street.
On her instructions, party leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, MP Pratima Mondal, and former Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee also visited Baruipur on Monday to assess the situation.
The situation unfolds against the backdrop of internal challenges within the TMC following recent elections. Reports of friction between party legislators and Members of Parliament have surfaced, raising concerns about cohesion within the organisation. Banerjee was also recently seen leading a protest against hawker evictions, though turnout at the event was limited.
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