A proposed Trinamool Congress-backed procession in Kolkata during Durga Puja has triggered a public-order warning from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, according to a report published by The Statesman. The report says the administration will take legal action if the programme violates the law, while also indicating that central forces could be deployed if required.
The procession is scheduled to travel from Rajabazar to Park Circus on Tuesday. It has reportedly been called by the Mamata Banerjee camp of the Trinamool Congress, with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expected to participate, according to publicity material circulated by the faction. The march is linked to opposition demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking during a visit to Durga Puja celebrations at Allen Park late on Monday night, Adhikari was quoted as saying that no one would be allowed to create disorder during the festival. The report says he instructed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to take appropriate legal action against any attempt to create unrest.
The report attributes the following warning to Adhikari: “During Durga Puja, no one will be allowed to create disorder. I have instructed the Police Commissioner to take appropriate legal action. They will not be allowed to proceed even a step beyond Rajabazar.”
The proposed route passes through a city where large numbers of residents and visitors are expected to move between pandals during the festival. Any restriction, diversion or police deployment could therefore affect pedestrian movement, traffic management and access to public spaces in central Kolkata. The supplied report does not provide details of a police order, route permit, traffic advisory or court direction governing the procession.
The political dispute behind the march centres on allegations of electoral irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of enabling electoral manipulation through the exercise, a charge that has become part of a wider confrontation involving the Centre and opposition parties. The supplied report says protests have also taken place in New Delhi and that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has approached the Supreme Court on the issue.
Publicity material attributed to the Mamata Banerjee camp reportedly describes the campaign as a defence of democratic rights. It refers to the detention of Banerjee in Delhi and alleged mistreatment of young protesters, while urging supporters to mobilise. The report also says similar programmes have been communicated to supporters in other districts.
The Statesman report presents the proposed procession and the administration’s warning as developments in the political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress faction led by Banerjee. It says the authorities’ stated challenge is to maintain public order during Durga Puja while allowing lawful political expression.
Several details require confirmation before publication as established fact, including the identity and current office of the speaker described in the report as West Bengal Chief Minister, the procession’s permission status, the exact police restrictions on the route, and whether central forces have formally been requested or deployed. Confirmation from the West Bengal government, Kolkata Police, the Election Commission and the organisers would establish the operational position.
