The BJP on Monday held a 12-hour bandh in the city protesting against the restrictions imposed by the State Government during the festive season.Shops and commercial establishments remained closed and vehicles were off the roads during the dawn-to-dusk strike.
However, all essential services were exempted from the bandh purview.Despite heavy rains, BJP members squatted on the roads at major intersections demanding the withdrawal of restrictions, particularly the one relating to the height of Goddess Durga idols.
“When the Covid situation has improved in the State, the Government has allowed opening of all religious institutions and business establishments, why it has issued certain restrictions on the observance of Durga Puja,” BJP leader Samir Dey asked.“Resentment among people over the guidelines, particularly limiting the height of Goddess Durga idols to 4 feet, is growing.
Such guidelines will hurt the 1,000-year-old tradition of city,” he added. The puja committees and peace committee have decided to approach Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and seek his personal intervention on restriction on height of idols.