Calcutta High Court slams Bengal govt over Durga immersion row, verdict on Thursday

While hearing a writ petition that was filed challenging state government's restrictions on Durga idol immersion, a division bench of the Calcutta HC, comprising of newly appointed Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice Harish Tandon, slammed West Bengal government for imposing such restriction.

"Just basing on an assumption that law and order situation might be disrupted , the restriction on Durga idol immersion has been imposed by the state government which can not be sanctioned by the Constitution of India," Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwari said.

"When Chief Minister of the state is claiming that West Bengal is a pilgrimage of communal harmony, then what is the need of such restriction? Why people of different communities wouldn't celebrate festivals of different religions together?" Calcutta HC's Chief Justice raised the questions.

However, the hearing in the case ended on Wednesday and the court said that it will pronounce the verdict on Thursday (Sep 21).

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, Sept 30, after 6 pm. and on Ekadashi (Oct 1) whole day for Muharram processions.

Challenging the decision, at least two petitions have been filed in the Calcutta High Court.

Later, Bengal government extended the immersion deadline till 10 pm. on Dashami (Sep 30), but did not lift the ban on Durga idol immersion on Ekadashi (Oct 1) for Muharram celebration.

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 the state government for the announcement and granted additional time to the petitioners for idol immersion.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)