No entry into Durga Puja pandals for devotees; restrictions imposed last year to remain enforced

Times Now, Oct 01, 2021 | New Delhi: Visitors will not be allowed inside Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal this year as well. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a PIL was filed before the division bench which said that restrictions imposed last year should be reinforced.  

When the state was asked to respond, the Trinamool Congress government informed the Calcutta High Court that it had no objection to the last year’s order.

Apart from organisers, visitors won’t be allowed to assemble within the 10 metres of the pandals and the rule will be in force till Kali Puja.

Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 10 to 15, while Lakshmi Puja will be held on October 20.

This comes a day after the West Bengal government extended the ongoing restrictions till October 30 but allowed the movement of people and vehicles at night during the Durga Puja festival from October 10 to 20.

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The state government had made an exception in the night curfew rule in view of the festival as people in large numbers visit puja pandals at night in Kolkata and other places.

Last year, after declaring Durga Puja pandals “no-entry zones” for visitors, the Calcutta High Court had eased its order and allowed entry of up to 45 organisers at a time.

This development came after four hundred top Durga Puja organisers approached the court.

Last month, the Central government said that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and asked states to continue with night curfews, weekend curfews and other restrictions along with adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour ahead of the festive season. 

Issuing the SOP for states and UTs, Union Health Ministry stressed that mass gatherings should be avoided in areas identified as Containment Zones and in districts reporting more than 5 per cent case positivity.

Relaxations and restrictions must be imposed based on weekly case positivity, said Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary had said.