On Thursday (19th November 2020), the Calcutta High Court refused to entertain a review petition filed by the West Bengal government seeking permission to conduct Chhath Puja at Subhas Sarovar.
This leads to a conclsion that two prominent places in Kolkata---Rabindra Sarovar and Subhas Sarovar would not be conducting Chatt Puja this year.
An application of modification by the West Bengal Government was refused by the High Court to allow the Chhath Puja rituals in the eastern part of the city of Kolkata at Subhas Sarobar.
This was heard by a bench of two judges: Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Arijit Banerjee. The application of the State Government was rejected and it was observed that apart from the pollution of the water body, there are concerns about the deadly Covid 19 related health issues as well.
On Thursday, it was noted that the state government moved the High Court, seeking modification of its order dated November 10, 2020. This order stated the banning of Chhath Puja rituals at the two lakes- Rabindra Sarovar and Subhas Sarovar.
A complete ban was ordered by the division bench on November 10, 2020 on firecrackers throughout West Bengal for the remainder of the month of November. Along with this, certain other directions were issued in respect of Kali Puja and Chhath Puja festivities.
A ban on rituals at Rabindra Sarobar was implemented to prevent pollution of the water body in southern Kolkata by the NGT.
This step has been taken in order to avoid crowding during Chhath puja celebrations this week as per the officials.
According to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) official, at least 44 temporary ghats have been erected along the water bodies in Kasba, Anandapur, Jadavpur, Patuli belts of the metropolis.
Apart from that, two large artificial brick-made pools have been arranged in Deshapriyo Park and Chetla-Rashbehari Avenue areas to enable devotees to perform rituals on the occasion of Chhath, he had added.
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