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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to issue any directions on a plea seeking permission to conduct Chhath Puja at the Yamuna River Ghats. The plea, filed by Santosh Jha through his counsel Kumar Pranav, requested the court to direct the Delhi Government to make arrangements at the Yamuna River for performing Chhath Puja.
Pranav stated that the Delhi government acknowledged the Yamuna River’s polluted state, making it unsuitable for the puja. “Since tomorrow is Chhath, the court said it was unable to pass any direction as it couldn’t be cleaned in a single day. Next time we will first approach the concerned authority who could clean Yamuna before Chhath,” Pranav said.
The Delhi government informed the court that adequate arrangements have been made for Chhath Puja across the city, with over a thousand designated spots, some near riverbanks. However, the government emphasized that the Yamuna is heavily polluted, and no one can be permitted to enter its waters.
The High Court remarked that the condition of the Yamuna is not suitable for performing rituals. Referring to a recent incident, the court mentioned that a person who took a dip in the Yamuna had to be hospitalized in the ICU for two days. Despite awareness of the water’s condition, people were still seeking permission to enter the Yamuna for religious purposes.
The High Court asserted, “We cannot clean the Yamuna in a day.” The court advised that if the petitioner wanted to advocate for the cleaning of the Yamuna, a plea should be filed for that purpose, and the court would hear it. The court further suggested that if the petitioner was willing, they could clean the ghats themselves.
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The petitioner argued that, as per tradition, Chhath Puja is performed in flowing river water and cannot be conducted in tubs or swimming pools. They noted that water was released from the Hathnikund Barrage to purify the Yamuna for the occasion. They expressed concerns that many people are leaving Delhi to celebrate Chhath Puja by rivers in their hometowns.
The petitioner highlighted that Chhath Puja, a four-day festival beginning on November 7, has previously faced restrictions. In 2019, during the COVID-19 pandemic, bans were placed on riverbank celebrations, and restrictions have been imposed once again.
The High Court concluded by stating there is no dispute over the Yamuna’s polluted state, noting that exposure to the river’s water could pose health risks.
