I will do what I can to keep peace: Mamata Banerjee

Banerjee, while inaugurating a puja pandal in south Kolkata, said:"Someone can slit my throat, but no one can tell me what to do. I will do what I can to keep peace."

In a landmark judgement, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday dismissed West Bengal government's decision to restrict the immersion of goddess Durga on Ekadashi (Oct 1) to allow Muharram celebration in the state.
A division bench, comprising Calcutta HC's newly appointed Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice Harish Tandon, said that all Durga idols, which will reach the immersion ghats before 12 am on all days, including Ekadashi, can be immersed.

The division bench has also directed the state administration to make adequate arrangements so that Durga immersion and Muharram processions can be done simultaneously in a harmony.

While hearing the matter on Wednesday, the division bench criticized state government's curb on the immersion of goddess Durga for Muharram processions.

Earlier on August 23, after holding a meeting with Durga puja organizers in Kolkata, WB 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 as Muharram is scheduled to be observed on the same day.

Challenging the decision, at least three petitions were filed in the Calcutta High Court.

Later, the West 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 the CalcuttaHigh Court against the decision.

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