[Chhat Puja] Long-drawn processions not allowed, says Calcutta High Court; guidelines issued to reduce crowding, maintain COVID-19 protocol

The Calcutta High Court has issued guidelines for the conduct of the upcoming Chhat Puja, reminiscent guidelines it recently issued for the conduct of Durga Puja and Kali Puja this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Anasua Bhattacharya v. State of West Bengal and Connected Petitions).Durga Puja: Calcutta High Court tweaks earlier order, eases COVID-19 restrictions for entry into puja pandals to a limited extent.The Bench of Justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee has also reminded the State that it may invoke powers under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to restrict gatherings of people in various places..Emphasizing on the necessity of compliance with the National Green Tribunal's order that barred the bursting of firecrackers during the festive season, the Bench enjoined the State to spare no effort in controlling the use and purchase of firecrackers.."...It is made clear that no effort should be spared by the State, particularly the police, to take immediate appropriate steps against anyone seeking to sell or purchase firecrackers or the like or any such material which emanates smoke and has the propensity to pollute the air. The risk is far too great for the matter to be left to chance and the State has assured that every step will be taken to implement the order of Court and ensure that there is no bursting or display or the like of firecrackers and similar items during the festive season, including at the Kali Puja and Diwali, Chhat Puja and Guru Nanak’s birthday celebrations..", reads the order..No firecrackers during Kali Puja, Diwali, other upcoming festivities in view of COVID-19 situation: Calcutta High Court [Read Order].The State undertook to ensure the due compliance of the Court's order, adding that it may not be necessary for the Court to either set up any special task force for the purpose or make named officials personally responsible. .The State assured the Court that measures have already been taken to ensure the complete implementation of the Court's directions and that no effort would be spared to see that the air quality does not deteriorate..Upon the State's submission that it intended to advise restrictions on the number of persons visiting the water bodies for the Chhat Puja, and issue other to maintain safety restrictions, the Court remarked: "Ordinarily, in matters of the present kind, the Court has to yield to the executive.".However, the Court proceeded to issue the following broad guidelines for the conduct of Chhat Puja:.The State should announce in areas where Chhat Puja is observed that only two persons per family can visit water bodies this year and that the rest can mark the puja at their homes;Long-drawn processions should not be allowed and, in any event, the use of music, other than the dhak or small band, should not be allowed. Once the revelry that goes with blaring music is arrested, the processions are expected to be less, the Court observed.People who intended to travel to bathing ghats can travel in vehicles maintaining COVID-19 safety norms throughout. Wearing of masks will be mandatory at all stages.Every traveller in a vehicle cannot go into the water for the ceremonies at once. Only representatives from each vehicle could go in and perform the rituals at the edge of the water body in an ecologically sensitive matterThe State should set up proper helpline numbers and advertise the same so people can file complaints about the bursting crackers. The Numbers have been directed to be set up by November 12.The Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the local municipal bodies should depute representatives to spread awareness in localities about the need for self-restraint and the importance of low-key celebrations..The Court also made it clear that the Subhas Sarovar and Rabindra Saroba water bodies will be totally off limits during the festival period, in view of a prevailing order of the National Green Tribunal to this effect..Apart from the above, the Bench directed the State to consider suspending the local train service from November 14 to November 15, 2020 and on the day of Jagadhatri Puja, to prevent travel and overcrowding.."It may be remembered that the lack of local trains during the Durga Puja celebrations was one of the principal reasons which avoided crowding during such time."Calcutta High Court.Towards the concluding portions of its Order, the Court expressed its hopes that the State is "geared up to implement the orders passed in such regard for the greater good of the citizens and to ensure that the quality of air is not adversely affected by the acts of a few that may imperil lives.".Update: On November 19, the Calcutta HC modified its earlier order to a limited extent. The State informed the Court that one of the water bodies, the Subhas Sarovar was not covered by the NGT Order. In its modified order, the court has corrected this one point, but refused to vacate earlier order stating:"since this Court finds little difference between Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar, two large water bodies several miles apart in two parts of the city, the prohibitory order passed by the NGT in respect of Rabindra Sarobar should apply with equal force to Subhas Sarobar."On these terms, the Order dated November 10 stands modified.The Court also took the opportunity to commend the State for the mostly firecracker-free Kali Puja and Diwali festivities in the city of Kolkata and expressed its hopes that the same would continue for the rest of the month..Read the Order dated November 10:.Read the Modified Order dated November 19: