Kolkata: Calcutta High Court, on Thursday said that person having received both the dozes of COVID-19 vaccines will be allowed to participate in “pushanjali” (offering prayers) and “sindoor khela” (vermilion festival) within the Puja pandals in the forthcoming Durga Puja festival. The court has passed the judgment while hearing on a petition of Durga Puja guidelines.
The court has already ordered a limit of assembly of 60 persons for big Puja pandals and 15 persons for smaller puja pandals. The same number will be applicable for “pushanjali” and “sindoor khela”. As per the court judgment, the police will take appropriate action against the puja committee if the guidelines are violated and the permission for the puja can also be revoked.
A division bench of Justice Indraprasanna Ray and Justice Anuruddha Ray passed the judgement. The bench has also made it clear that the use of the mask and sanitisers will be compulsory for those attending the Puja pandals.
The state’s advocate general, Soumendranath Mukhopadhyay informed the court that the rate of COVID affected people in the state is three percent at present. He also argued that as per the Union government’s directive restrictions can be imposed if the rate of affected people is above five per cent. Henceforth, he pleaded for the relaxations for “pushanjali” and “sindoor khela”.
Sabyasachi Bandopadhyay, the counsel for the petitioner, immediately objected to that. However, his objections were overruled by the division bench.
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