Do not hold elections in the areas that witnessed violence : Calcutta HC

Calcutta High Court’s order regarding Murshidabad violence during Shriram Navami

Murshidabad (Bengal) – A petitioned was filed in the Calcutta High Court about the violence in Murshidabad District on Shriram Navami. During the hearing, the Court asked the State Government to submit an affidavit. It also asked the Election Commission to postpone the elections in Berhampore Lok Sabha constituency in view of the present law and order situation there.

The Court remarked, ‘If the people cannot celebrate a festival happily and peacefully even for just 24 hours, the elections should not be held in this constituency. If the fights erupt between 2 groups of people in spite of the Code of Conduct being in place; then they do not have the right to vote for their representatives.’

Courtesy India Today

There is a petition in Court, demanding investigation into this case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This will be heard on 26 th April.

Editorial Perspective

This is a shame for the Trinamool Congress in Bengal. HC observes that the situation in the State is not conducive even to conduct the elections, which are so critical to the democracy, this underlines the pathetic condition of law-and-order in the State. Considering this, it is necessary for the Union Government to enforce President’s rule in Bengal.