After state, NMC too bans Chhath Puja at lakes, but may turn blind eye to violators

Nagpur: First, the Maharashtra government clearly mentioned no public gatherings will be allowed during Chhath Puja. On Monday, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) banned Chhath Puja in public, and instead appealed to Nagpurians to celebrate the festival at their homes.
NMC’s order notwithstanding, preparations for Chhath celebrations are on in full swing in Nagpur. Chhath Puja celebrations will commence from Tuesday sunset and will end next morning (November 10) with the sunrise.
Umakant Agnihotri, working national president of Uttar Bhartiya Sabha, said the Sabha has already approached district guardian minister Nitin Raut and commissioner of police Amitesh Kumar to allow celebrations of Chhath Puja in public.
“Every year, the Sabha organizes preparations for Chhath Puja at 17 water bodies across the district, which include three in city — Ambazari, Police Line Takli lake, and Gorewada lake,” said Agnihotri, adding this year too the Sabha had started preparations long back.
He said the Sabha has started preparations as they are very positive that the state government will relax the curbs imposed for Chhath Puja. “Despite celebrations of Navratra and Diwali, the positive cases of Covid-19 are very much in control. So, the Sabha has sought relaxation from Raut and Kumar,” he said.
He also claimed that he will approach chief minister Uddhav Thackeray seeking relaxation in norms for Chhath Puja. “Denying celebration of Chhath Puja may hurt religious sentiments of the public, especially north Indians,” he said.
Recently, mayor Dayashankar Tiwari too had requested the CM to relax Covid-19 guidelines to allow Chhath Puja at city’s water bodies. The mayor had mentioned decline in Covid-19 cases while seeking relaxations.
Agnihotri said the Sabha will ensure 100% compliance of Covid-19 protocols while organizing Chhath Puja in water bodies.
Additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi said NMC will be replicating the guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government. “As per the state notification, Chhath Puja celebrations in lakes and rivers has been prohibited due to pandemic,” the additional commissioner said.
“So it will be applicable in Nagpur city too,” he said. However, the additional commissioner was quick to point out that there will be no special measures from NMC to prevent citizens from visiting city lakes, especially Ambazari, Police Line Takli and Gorewada.
Joshi said immersion of idols in lakes too was banned this year but NMC had arranged for artificial tanks near lakes. “Likewise, we will not ban devotees visiting lakes,” he said, adding NMC is urging citizens not to celebrate the festival in public.