Calcutta High Court bans sale, bursting of firecrackers on Kali Puja, Chhath Puja

With little over a week to Kali Puja and Diwali, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday passed an order prohibiting the sale and the bursting of firecrackers during the upcoming festivals, including Chhath Puja in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

A division bench of justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee gave the direction while hearing two Public Interest Litigations (PILs).

The court said that guidelines, which were in place during Durga Puja such as no entry to pandals, will also be in effect during Kali Puja.

The court also said that social distancing norms should be adhered to during the festivities and the use of sanitizers and face masks will be mandatory. Only 15 people will be allowed in the Kali Puja pandals having an area up to 300 sq metres, and 45 persons in the bigger ones, the court said.  No processions with sound and light will be allowed for Kali Puja idol immersion and only a limited number of people will be only allowed at ghats for immersion, the court added.

Lauding the Mamata Banerjee-led state government for effectively implementing the court-directed guidelines on Durga Puja, it asked the police to ensure that the norms are strictly enforced on Kali Puja as well.