The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal Police to issue a public notice on the regulation of timings for the beating of drums on the occasion of Muharram on Saturday, July 29. The court has also directed West Bengal Pollution Control Board to issue a public notice, regulating the noise levels regarding the permissible levels.
The court was hearing a plea in which the petitioner said that local ‘goons’ would continuously beat drums in her locality till late at night on the pretext of the Muharram. When she complained, the police asked her to “come back with a court order".
According to legal news website Live Law, a division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya said: "On proper construction, it cannot be said that a citizen should be coerced to hear something he does not like or require." The bench sai that the State should balance the right to the enjoyment of religion under Article 25(1) of the Constitution with the Right to Life under Article 19(1)(a). "The drum beating should not start before 8 am. There will be schoolgoing children, exams are there, old and ill people. Normally, you give permission for two hours in the morning, two hours in the evening. But after 7 pm it shouldn’t happen," Chief Justice Sivagnanam was quoted as saying by Live Law.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern about potential attempts to disturb peace in West Bengal during the upcoming Muharram celebrations, reported news agency PTI. She advised her Cabinet colleagues to closely monitor law and order developments in the state. During a Cabinet meeting, Banerjee stressed the importance of preventing the circulation of fake news and videos that could incite unrest during Muharram, scheduled for July 29. Although she did not mention any specific locations, she warned about the possibility of a political party attempting to exploit the situation, the PTI report stated.
Additionally, the Chief Minister urged her ministers to pay special attention to districts with significant tribal populations and encouraged the celebration of "Adivasi Day" on August 9.
In terms of administrative decisions, the state Cabinet approved the recruitment of 2,500 constables for the Kolkata Police and also authorized the filling of vacancies in various other departments, including health and personnel. Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya clarified that the recruitment process would be transparently carried out through the Police Recruitment Board. Furthermore, the Cabinet decided to prioritize youths from tribal areas of the state in the constable recruitment process, and an official notification regarding this decision will be issued.
The government also sanctioned the appointment of 5,468 community health officers under the health department to improve healthcare services.
In another development, the state Cabinet approved the arrangement of housing societies for journalists in districts, similar to those available in the metropolis.