Oppose Ban On Rallies

Date: 
Monday, September 29, 2003

Press Statement

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) now in session in New Delhi has issued the following statement:

Oppose Ban On Rallies

The Kolkata High Court has in a judgement prohibited rallies in the city on week days from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. This is an infringement on the democratic rights of citizens. The fundamental right to assembly and to express their views have been provided in the Constitution, for all citizens. The authorities can provide for reasonable restrictions and regulations but there can be no outright ban on demonstrations and rallies.

The Central Committee deplores this form of judicial intervention and asserts that the democratic rights of citizens cannot be curbed.