Members of the umbrella body of Durga Puja pandals, the Ranchi District Durga Puja Committee (RDDPC) while addressing a press conference in the State capital on Friday expressed their consent over the government’s decision of opening temples and also organising Durga Puja. It was also decided to demand an amendment from the government regarding the Bhog offered to the deity and accepting it as prasad.
“The opening of religious places by the government is a commendable step. Some of the guidelines issued by the government for Durga Puja celebrations are not acceptable to us. We have conveyed our sentiments to the government and hopefully new guidelines with an amendment will be issued at the earliest,” said president RDDPC, Ashok Purohit.
RDDPC members have also demanded that the order to worship the deity by covering it on all sides should be reconsidered. Permission to play aarti and bhajan on low volume and low lighting should be allowed inside the pandal.
RDDPC representatives also stated that the committees have already constructed small statues and any changes at this point are not possible. This should be supported by the government. The decision of allowing only seven people in the pandal and three in the immersion procession needs to be reconsidered.
“The guidelines issued by the government should be revised on the basis of the demands stated so that nobody’s faith, tradition and spirit are hurt,” said RDDPC Convenor Munchun Rai.
RDDPC General Secretary Kundan Singh stated that the committee is with the government in the battle against corona but for Durga Puja celebrations, the administration should not pressurise them to follow all the guidelines. Rahul Yadav, Rajendra Singh, Ramesh Gop and others were present during the meeting.