Delhi News: The Delhi High Court Wednesday dismissed a plea challenging a ban on celebrations of Chhath Puja on Yamuna river bank in the national capital. Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing the plea who remarked that the ban was imposed in order to prevent pollution.

“There are sufficient safeguards and it (the ban) is for the purpose to prevent river pollution,” said the Justice, quoted the Bar and Bench. After which, the petitioners have taken back their petition.

Petitioners, Chhath Pooja Sangharsh Samiti and Purwanchal Jagriti Manch, had challenged the Delhi government’s order, dated October 9, regarding the ban on Chhath Puja celebrations on Yamuna bank. The petitioners urged the court to lift the ban.

Meanwhile the two organisations also argued that the Delhi government’s order violated fundamental rights of the people of Delhi. It was argued that there are about 30-40 lakh people who were being affected by the restrictions. The court was also notified that the people in neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were still celebrating the festival on Yamuna bank.

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The plea said, “Respondent no 1 (Delhi government) notified the aforesaid notification during Covid-19 period without any power… It is further submitted that respondent no. 1 has not mentioned proper law/rules which entitles them to restrain the worship of 30-40 lakh of the devotees,” quoted the Bar and Bench.

Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for the Delhi government said ponds have been made for the people in the city in every wards. They can go there to celebrate Chhath Puja.

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