The HC directed the police to ensure alternative routes during the closure of the Red Road, and said the government order does not make attending yoga day mandatory for employees.
The West Bengal government’s order to close the Red Road till June 21 on the occasion of International Yoga Day celebrations, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in Kolkata, has sparked a fresh row in the state.
In another development, the West Bengal Government Employees Coordination Committee has challenged the order of the West Bengal Chief Secretary asking all state government officials and employees to participate in the International Yoga Day program on June 21. Meanwhile, the International Yoga Federation has challenged the prolonged closure of the famous Red Road since June 14, saying it is causing inconvenience to lawyers belonging to the petitioner organization traveling to and from the Supreme Court.
While the court directed the police to ensure that appropriate alternative routes remain available to the members of the petitioner organization as well as the general public to reach their workplaces and destinations while the Red Road remains closed, it informed the representative of the government employees that the directive nowhere states that participation is mandatory.
The court says it is a healthy move
Justice Amrita Sinha questioned the application, stating that the Yoga Day event is a “healthy move”. When the petitioners’ counsel, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, argued that it was the employees’ decision, the court said: “No, you cannot remain unhealthy. Because you are serving the government, the government would never want its employees to be unhealthy,” according to the Bar and Bench Report.
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Additional Solicitor General Bilawadal Bhattacharya, representing the Bengal government, informed that only employees were invited to attend the event, as the state seeks to break Andhra Pradesh’s record of Rs three lakh crore. He added that if any action is taken against any employee for not attending the programme, he will be free to approach the court again.
TMC criticizes road closure on Yoga Day
The road closure also drew criticism from the opposition, with Trinamool Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra criticizing the move. She said that although the Red Road could not be closed for just one hour on the occasion of Eid celebrations, it has now been closed for a week on the occasion of Yoga Day.
“Eid prayers cannot be held for one hour for one day on Red Road but the same Red Road is closed to traffic for a week for Yoga Divas. Abu Tahir Khan, Khalilur Rehman, Yusuf Pathan – they have the courage to ask this question to your paymasters,” Mahwah wrote on X.
Modi leads Yoga Day celebrations
Prime Minister Modi will lead the national celebrations of International Yoga Day 2026 at the historic Red Road in Kolkata on June 21. The theme of this year’s event is “Yoga for Healthy Aging,” focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by an aging population.
Before the main event, Kolkata will host a series of programmes. On June 19, the ‘Doud se Dhyan’ initiative will highlight the relationship between fitness and mental health, said a statement issued by PIB. On June 20, events like ‘Vande Yogam’ and West Bengal Day celebrations will showcase a mix of yoga, patriotism and cultural heritage of the state. The programs will culminate with the Prime Minister’s participation in a group yoga session on June 21, the statement said.
(with PTI inputs)
Shubham Pandey works as Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Online Bureau, where he writes news articles, explainers and features with a focus on audience engagement, traffic growth and real-time storytelling. With over a decade of experience in journalism, digital newsrooms, and strategic communications, he has a strong understanding of online journalism, particularly in leveraging SEO, search trends, and live blogging to sustainably enhance reader engagement. Previously, he led the sports team at Zee News English, where he strengthened editorial operations while delivering significant growth in readership. His reporting experience includes stints with Firstpost, where he covered sports with a strong narrative focus. Shubham has worked at both startups and large media organisations, including building a sports website from the ground up in a startup environment – demonstrating diversity and leadership. His stint as a Senior Account Manager at Edelman India expanded his expertise in strategic communications, brand storytelling and reputation management. Across roles, he specializes in content planning, writing, and crafting authoritative narratives for diverse audiences. He has collaborated with former international cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara, Nick Knight and Danny Morrison to create compelling, high-impact sports content, blending editorial depth with mass appeal. When he’s not writing news or watching sports, he enjoys exploring films from around the world.Read more
