March 28, 2024 18:01 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Delhi High Court rejects PIL seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal as CM | MHA extends AFSPA in 3 districts of Arunachal Pradesh for 6 months | Encourage fair, transparent and legal process: US comments again on Kejriwal's arrest | India and China discuss border disengagement: EAM | Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discusses defence, trade while interacting with Malaysian leaders
Two petitions in high court against Bengal govt's curb on Durga idol immersion for Muharram

Two petitions in high court against Bengal govt's curb on Durga idol immersion for Muharram

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | 15 Sep 2017, 12:30 pm
Kolkata, Sep 15 (IBNS): Challenging the Mamata Banerjee government's decision to restrict the immersion of Durga idol in West Bengal for Muharram celebration, two separate petitions have been filed before the Calcutta High Court, reports said.

Kolkata-based lawyer Smarajit Roy Chowdhury has filed a writ petition before the bench of acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Nishita Mhatre, challenging Bengal government's curb on the Durga idol immersion on Muharram.

"Durga Puja is the biggest festival in West Bengal and Bengalis worship goddess Durga following the auspicious timings based on panjika," petitioner Smarajit Roy Chowdhury told IBNS.

"I can't understand how could a government ban Durga idol immersion for another community's festival!" Smarajit Roy Chowdhury said.

"As this decision, which was taken last year too, may hurt the communal harmony in the state, I'm moving to honourable Calcutta High Court against the government's order which has not been published officially yet, just announced verbally and posted on social media," Chowdhury added.

The senior lawyer said that the matter will be heard at the court today (Friday, Sep 15).

Meanwhile, standing against Bengal government's restrictions on Durga idol immersion, Youth Bar Association of India (YBAI), a national forum/organization for young advocates, has reportedly filed another petition before the Calcutta High Court.

Petitioners' counsel, Somnath Adhikary, told IBNS, "We are moving against the Twitter announcement of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, where she has restricted Durga idol immersion in the state for Muharram celebration."

Petitioners also claimed that the announcement of the Bengal government is violative of Articles 14, 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.

However, the matter is likely be heard at the bench of Calcutta HC's acting CJ Nishita Mhatre on next Wednesday (Sep 20).

Earlier on Aug 23, after holding a meeting with Durga puja organizers in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee declared a curb on Durga idol immersion on Bijoya Dashami, Sep 30, after 6 pm. and on Ekadashi (Oct 1) whole day for Muharram processions.

Last year, the state government put same restrictions on Durga idol immersion for Muhharam and few puja organizers moved to Calcutta High Court against the decision.

The High Court slammed state government for the announcement and granted additional time to the petitioners for idol immersion.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
PM Modi in Bhutan 22 Mar 2024, 06:53 pm
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu 28 Feb 2024, 07:07 pm