Kolkata Police has barred political parties from holding rallies and other protest programmes that “violate the law” in the heart of the city, or holding meetings and rallies at the Metro channel in central Kolkata. The police claim they do not have adequate infrastructure to control such programmes.

Explaining the reasons for bringing forth such a ban in a city famous for strikes, hartals, rallies and political protest programmes – and violence off and on during such protests, city police commissioner Surajit Kar Purakayastha said: "We held a meeting with all political parties. We told them that we would not allow any law violation programme to be organised in Kolkata Police area. Our city is not a planned one. During such programmes, we need to withdraw buses and divert vehicles that inconvenience the citizens and result in disruption of normal activities… We are building a proper infrastructure to deal with law and order issues. Till then we cannot allow law violation programmes in the city.”

While the ruling Trinamool Congress has not reacted, opposition CPI(M) has criticised the move as “anti-democratic”.

Interestingly, Trinamool has become what it is today thanks largely to such rallies, though Mamata Banerjee has come down hard on hartals and protest rallies since becoming the chief minister, ostensibly to hit the Left parties where it hurts most: mass organisation.

Be that as it may, the police commissioner’s logic also has sound reasons. And though a blanket ban is never a welcome idea, should police authorities in other big cities, starting with the metros, look at the idea for inspiration?