The West Bengal government has decided not to move Supreme Court to challenge the Calcutta High Court's order on immersion of Durga idols on 1 October, the day Muharram will be observed by the Muslim community in the state.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had called an emergency meeting on Thursday night, with police officers being invited to state secretariat Nabanna, had hinted that she may move the apex court against the verdict. But a day later, it seems the chief minister has changed her mind.
Mamata Banerjee govt will not approach SC on #DurgaIdolImmersion row as the Calcutta HC verdict is in its “favour”https://t.co/sx3J4Y4wnw
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 22, 2017
A report on CNN-News18 said the state government views the high court order as being in its favour, and termed it a "victory". The report quoted Trinamool Congress MP and lawyer Kalyan Banerjee as saying the media reported "wrong information".
File image of Mamata Banerjee. PTI
"In the court's order, it is categorically mentioned that the immersion is only allowed if 'found permissible'. Now, the state government has to decide whether immersion is permissible on Muharram or not. It is up to the state government and the police department to take the final call depending on the situation," he said.
"We are not going to move Supreme Court because the Calcutta High Court order is actually in our favour. Some people are trying to politicise the issue. Let them do it. The state government is empowered to take the call on whether it is conducive to allow immersion on 1 October or not," he added.
The state government had earlier issued a notification banning immersion of Durga idols on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami (on 30 September), after 10 pm and on 1 October, the day Muharram is scheduled to be observed. The government had termed the move a preventive measure, which would ensure that communal harmony is not disrupted as the two communities observe their festivals.
However, a bench of the Calcutta High Court had said the state cannot hinder citizens' right to practise religion on the basis of a mere assumption that a law and order situation could arise. The government, the court observed, must provide sound reasons for doing so.
Published Date: Sep 22, 2017 05:51 pm | Updated Date: Sep 22, 2017 05:51 pm
