Lake lovers to file petition against Chhath-ban breach

Kolkata: Lake Lovers’ Forum, a group of morning walkers and environmentalists, is all set to make an appeal for suo motu cognizance of the blatant violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order prohibiting any puja at Rabindra Sarobar, an eco-sensitive zone. “We have drafted a plea and more than 600 people have signed it. We will submit it in court so it can take up the matter at the earliest,” said Mrityunjoy Chatterjee, a key member of the forum.



Sumita Banerjee, the original petitioner against Chhath celebration at Sarobar, plans to move a separate contempt plea against the violation of the NGT order. “Since I am the original petitioner, I need to point out the wilful violation of the order, when cops and KMDA looked the other way and ensured that Chhath revellers didn’t have any problem when offering puja in the lake.” Last year, Rashtriya Bihari Samaj was allowed to celebrate Chhath at Lake after submitting a written undertaking that it would be the last time, she added.

Earlier, legal activist Subhas Datta, whose petition at the NGT had led to the order against holding any religious or social function at Rabindra Sarobar, had said the blatant violation of the order needed a strong response from the NGT to ensure that judicial orders are not flouted with such impunity in future. “What happened during Chhath is clear contempt of court. I have photographic evidence that lights were installed and bamboo ladders set up along the water edge before devotees began to arrive. Policemen on the spot were mere bystanders as devotees streamed in. Even when I was lodging a complaint at the Rabindra Sarobar police station, the entry of devotees were plainly visible on CCTV cameras there,” Datta had said.

Rashtriya Bihari Samaj, the key organizer of Chhath across the city, is likely to file an intervenor petition in the contemptof-court plea.

Samaj president Mani Prasad Singh said, “We will not file a separate petition in this regard as of now. We will appeal to the court to add us as a party to the likely hearing. We believe we will get an opportunity to present our argument.”

Singh, who is now in Delhi, said, “Chhath Puja is perhaps the most environment friendly puja. Vegetables, fruits and flowers are given as offerings. It is ironic that this puja is being cited in the ongoing environmental norm violation case. We believe we will be allowed to organize the Puja at Rabindra Sarobar with reasonable restrictions. Religious beliefs and rites are also integral to the Constitution.”

Lawyer Debabrata Updahyay said, “We will plead to be heard during the ongoing NGT proceedings. It is sad that the most environment friendly puja is being singled out for a ban at Rabindra Sarobar.”