The Mamata Banerjee Government on Wednesday earned yet another judicial rebuke from the Calcutta High Court which wondered why the State Government has banned immersion of Durga idols on Vijayadashami, falling on September 30, to make way for the October 1 Muharram processions.
Rapping the Government for creating communal divide “when you are firm that there is communal harmony in the State,” the court asked, “Why can’t the two communities celebrate together.”
The judgment will be delivered on Thursday.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a notification last month, barred immersion of idols after 6 PM on September 30 and on October 1 on account of Muharram. “The immersions would continue from October 2,” the notificaton said. later it said the immersions will be allowed till 10 pm on September 30.
“Immersion will resume as usual from October 2 to 4.” Warning of “stern action if someone tries to disrupt peace”, Banerjee had said she wanted the good name of her State to prevail. The petitioner’s lawyer Smarajit Chowdhury said, “It will be improper to make a comment as the judgment is awaited tomorrow.”
last year too the Government had ordered postponement of immersion of idols from 6 pm onwards (later revising it to 10 pm onwards) on Dashami Day till the morning of October 2 to make way for Muharram processions.