The Supreme Court on Monday declined the plea of the West Bengal BJP seeking to overturn a 2013 ban enforced by the Mamata Banerjee government on the use of loudspeakers in the State between February and March due to Class X and XII Board examinations.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi questioned the move to challenge the order.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the BJP, said that the ban was applied every year. He added that the apex court had recently allowed the party to move the State government afresh to seek permission to hold ‘rath yatra’ but without the loudspeakers, it would be of no value. The counsel said the freedom of speech and expression of the party was also an important issue and use of loudspeakers was necessary.
When the Bench said children are writing their examinations and hinted at dismissing the plea, the counsel offered to withdraw it, which was allowed.
