Jai Shri Ram will echo in Howrah, High Court gives permission for Ram Navami procession, number of 500 and no weapons implemented

News India Live, Digital Desk: The ongoing doubt regarding the Ram Navami procession in Howrah, West Bengal is now over. In an important decision on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Calcutta High Court has given conditional permission to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Anjani Putra Sena to take out the procession on the traditional route of Howrah. The bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharya made it clear that administrative objections cannot stop fundamental rights, however, in view of security, the court has adopted ‘zero tolerance’ policy and imposed more than 10 strict conditions. This decision has come at a time when assembly elections are looming in the state and security agencies are on high alert.1. The procession will be taken out in two shifts. To avoid conflict, the court has fixed different timings for the two major organizations: Anjani Putra Sena: This procession can be taken out from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP): The time of their procession has been fixed from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.2. High Court’s ‘Lakshman Rekha’ (key conditions): The Court has made it clear that if any of the conditions are violated, the organizers will be directly responsible: Limit of participants: Not more than 500 people will be able to participate in the procession at any time. The organizers will have to give the names and ID proof of 15 responsible members to the police first. Complete ban on weapons: Display of any kind of metal weapons, sticks or swords in the procession is prohibited. Only symbolic weapons made of PVC (plastic) can be carried. Number of vehicles: Only one vehicle carrying a tableau or idol will be allowed in the entire procession. Sound system and DJ: DJ will be completely banned in the procession. Only a limited sound system with 5-6 microphones can be used. Restrictions on sloganeering: No inflammatory, communal or objectionable slogan will be raised which may disturb social harmony. Continuous movement: The procession will not be allowed to stop or hold meetings anywhere on the way; This has to go on continuously.3. Court’s stance on route dispute: Mamta government had proposed to change the route citing election preparations and ‘sensitive areas’ (like Kazipada). However, the court rejected this and said that since the Yatra had been taking place on the same route in the past years and the 2025 order was not challenged, the traditional route would not be changed. The court directed the police to deploy adequate security forces.4. Political allegations and counter-allegations: After the permission for the procession, politics has also heated up. VHP national spokesperson has accused the TMC government of targeting festivals every year. At the same time, the state government argues that they only want to maintain law and order. The High Court has ordered the police to submit the compliance report by April 1, 2026.