Calcutta HC permits RSS to hold public meeting on Feb 16, sets 2 conditions

The Calcutta high court on Friday allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold a public meeting in East Burdwan district on February 16 on the condition that the loudspeaker volume was kept to a maximum of 45 decibels and its use was limited to 75 minutes, according to lawyers present at the hearing. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who is on a 10-day tour of Bengal beginning February 7, is scheduled to address the meeting on February 16 at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadium in East Burdwan district’s Talit area.

The district authorities had previously refused permission for the event, saying the 45 loudspeakers to be used at the venue would disturb students appearing for the ongoing class 10 state board examination. The authorities said there were regulations in the state that prohibit use of loudspeakers in open spaces during the exam season.