The final journey: Durga’s immersion. The Calcutta High Court on Thursday lifted all restrictions on Durga Puja immersion imposed by the West Bengal government, allowing it till 12 a.m. on all days including on 'Ashura', the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram.
Terming the government’s directive as “arbitrary”, the court asked police to designate separate routes for Durga Puja immersions, and Tazia processions on the occasion of Muharram, in the city and ensure adequate security for both.
The bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwary gave the orders while hearing three PILs challenging the restrictions on immersion of idols at the end of the five-day Durga Puja festival.
“The court said the state cannot hinder a citizen’s right to practice religion assuming that there will be law and order problems and asked the government to provide ‘concrete grounds’ for its decision to restrict the immersion,” a counsel associated with the case said after the High Court’s order.
“The court has asked the state government to diversify the routes of processions on the occasion of Durga Puja immersion and Tazia and ensure that the routes do not overlap in any way. The state is also advised to widely publicise the allotted routes for respective processions among people so that there is no confusion,” he added.
The government banned idol immersion after 10 p.m. on September 30 – Dashami – when the Durga Puja ends. The Muslim community will mark Ashura on October 1.
The decision started a controversy as BJP and RSS termed the state’s order as unconstitutional. BJP President Amit Shah questioned the order and accused the West Bengal government of resorting to appeasement politics, looking at the vote bank of a certain community.
Strongly countering allegations of appeasing the minority community, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said such comments against her are “deeply insulting”.
“I do not believe in appeasement. These comments are deeply insulting. I believe in the religion of humanity that talks about the harmony among all the religions,” Banerjee said while inaugurating a Durga Puja in south Kolkata.
She also accused the central government of conspiring against Bengal.
“The centre hatches several conspiracies against us. They take help of different agencies from time to time. But I am strong believer in divine powers. I believe we will demolish all the conspiracies,” she said.
Banerjee said she observes the rituals of all the communities with equal enthusiasm but nobody raises the question of appeasement when it comes to a non-Muslim festival.
“If I go to Muslim festival, people term it as appeasement. But when I go the Chhath puja celebrations or observe Buddha Purnima, does anybody ask whom am I appeasing? When I go to the temples or be present in the midnight prayer on Christmas, does anyone raise the question of appeasement?” she asked.
The Chief Minister’s comments came on the day the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban on Durga idol immersion on the day of the 10th day of Muharram, imposed by state government and asked to ensure adequate security for both the communities taking part in their respective processions.
“It is not the custom to immerse the goddess on a Saturday or on Ekadashi (the day after Dussehra). So where was the problem? Some people are trying to demean the festival. They are trying to disrupt peace,” Banerjee alleged.
Issuing a stern warning, she said those who are conspiring to create unrest in the state would have to take responsibility for it.
“If anybody tries to create unrest, I would be their biggest enemy. If anyone conspires to disturb the peace, they would have to take the responsibility,” she asserted. (IANS)