For the first time ever, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held a meeting at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, which is considered to be a must for any political force in West Bengal. The RSS fought hard the right to do, despite strong opposition from CM Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress, which sought to deny the RSS that symbolic right.
However, after the police refused permission outright, the issue was taken up with the courts. The Calcutta high court not only approved permission but spoke out against the move to deny the RSS permission for its meeting. The court also began contempt proceedings against the Kolkata Police commissioner for not appearing in court to explain his actions.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a rally in the city on the last day of the two-day internal meeting of the organisation's West Bengal unit.
Bhagwat is also scheduled to hold several organisational meetings in the city in January, Mukherjee said. "Our chief Mohan Bhagwat will address a rally at Brigade Parade Ground on January 14 and he will be leaving on January 15," the RSS spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the Kolkata Police commissioner to consider within 24 hours an application on behalf of RSS for permission to hold a rally to be addressed by Mohan Bhagwat.