112-Foot Durga Puja in Ranaghat Faces Closure Following High Court Order

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, September 27, 2024, Ranaghat : The fate of the 112-foot Durga idol at Ranaghat now rests in the hands of the Calcutta High Court, with a crucial hearing scheduled for Monday. The Puja committee, after being denied permission by the local administration to proceed with the festival, sought judicial intervention. The court's final decision will determine whether the grand Puja event can go ahead.

The committee behind the massive Durga idol approached the High Court after the District Magistrate of Nadia, Gobind Roy, refused to grant permission for the Puja citing security concerns. In response, the case was heard earlier this week in the courtroom of Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya. On Tuesday, the judge instructed the District Magistrate to reconsider the matter, leading to Friday's formal denial of permission.

The administration's primary concern stems from safety risks associated with such a large gathering in a confined space. Specifically, the road leading to the proposed Puja venue is only 14 feet wide, raising fears of overcrowding and potential accidents. These concerns are amplified by memories of the 2015 incident at Deshapriya Park in Kolkata, where a 100-foot Durga idol drew massive crowds, leading to a stampede that forced the Puja to be halted. The authorities are wary of a similar disaster unfolding at Ranaghat.

The Puja committee, in its defense, highlighted that it has been organizing this Durga Puja for several years without incident. They also pointed out that both the fire and electricity departments had given their approval for this year’s event. Despite this, the local administration refused to grant permission, prompting the committee to escalate the issue to the judiciary.

The committee also mentioned in court that they had informed both UNESCO and the Guinness Book of World Records about the unique 112-foot Durga idol. Representatives from these organizations were reportedly expected to visit the Puja, adding an international dimension to the event's significance. However, these aspirations may now be dashed if the High Court upholds the local administration's denial.

District Magistrate Gobind Roy defended the refusal in court, citing potential risks due to the narrow access road and large expected crowd. He reiterated that written permission could not be granted, as the safety of attendees could not be guaranteed under the current circumstances.

The future of this year's grand Durga Puja will be decided during the High Court hearing scheduled for Monday. Until then, the Puja’s fate remains uncertain, with the committee and devotees anxiously awaiting the court’s ruling.