Tight security and a warning that leaders would be held responsible for any untoward incident led to disciplined Hanuman Jayanti processions on Thursday.
At least one proposed march was cancelled as the police withdrew permission because of violation of rules.
Lalbazar had announced that no procession should have more than 100 participants.
Officers on the ground told The Telegraph that all Hanuman Jayanti processions complied with the headcount norm, making it easier for them to manage the events.
During the Ram Navami celebrations last week, there was no such bar — on the number of people allowed, what they could carry and what they could chant. Scores of people had joined such processions with “traditional weapons” and shouted aggressive slogans that made many uncomfortable. Reports of violence followed from districts adjoining Kolkata.
A young man who was seen brandishing a gun during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah has since been arrested.
On Thursday, the police said the two processions that came from Howrah early in the morning had a turnout of around 70 to 80 each.
A rally in south Kolkata that started from Sambhu Nath Pandit Road and terminated on Harish Chatterjee Street had even fewer people.
“The processions on Thursday complied with the norms related to the headcount and the ban on carrying weapons,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar.
A procession that was scheduled to start from Bansdroni was cancelled at the last moment. The police said they withdrew permission because of non-compliance by the organisers.
An officer posted in north Kolkata said around 80 people had joined the evening procession from Nimtala Ghat Street.
An officer of the rank of assistant commissioner said one major difference between Hanuman Jayanti celebrations and the earlier religious processions organised by the BJP was the absence of “shouting and sloganeering”.
“Today they were chanting the names of Lord Hanuman and Sri Ram. But it was not sounding intimidating or inciting. We had put barricades along the route, especially in sensitive areas,” said the officer.
Kolkata has earlier witnessed processions where participants walked carrying huge sticks with small party flags attached to them. They looked more like lathis than party flags.
“The rallies were very disciplined today. We requested the organisers of one of the rallies in the morning to cut short their route so traffic was not disrupted. They immediately abided by our request and terminated their procession several kilometres away from the planned destination,” said an officer of the rank of joint commissioner.
The procession started from Liluah in Howrah at 6am and was to terminate in Dum Dum. Following the request from the police, the rally ended at Panchmukhi Hanuman temple in Posta.
Kolkata police had on Tuesday published an online form that organisers of all marches and public meetings have to fill in and submit for permission. The form has a list of 27 norms that organisers have to promise they will abide by.
Sources at Lalbazar said at least two Hanuman Jayanti processions are scheduled for Sunday.
