[Ram Mandir Consecration Ceremony] Calcutta HC dismisses plea to have January 22 as 'dry day'

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) petition that sought to declare January 22 as a "dry day" on account of the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya opined that the scope of the plea is a  policy decision, which cannot warrant the Court's interference.

"This a policy decision. You will have to challenge the enactments that allow for [liqour] licensing. Actually, there is a prohibition. It is not free, anyone cannot manufacture. A beverage corporation is there, and the trade is regulated by way of an enactment under the Excise Act. Unless those provisions are challenged, we cannot do anything."

When the matter was taken up for hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner apprised the Bench that five states had decided to declare January 22 as a dry day.

The counsel appearing for West Bengal government  termed the request as "strange" and argued that just because a few states have taken the aforesaid decision, the Government of West Bengal can't be asked to do the same.

Taking rival arguments into account, the court expressed its disinclination to take up the plea.

"The Petitioner seeks for a direction which is in the nature of a policy decision. Therefore, the same cannot be granted in a PIL. Dismissed."