Jharkhand Government is yet to take a decision on the month long Shravani mela in Deoghar where lakhs of devotees across the country turn-up to offer prayer to Lord Shiva at the famous Baba Baidyanath temple.
While the month of Shravan will start from July 25 Deoghar district administration has not begun any preparation which many feel is an indication of the mood of the State Government not to allow the fair and congregation of devotees on the temple premise.
Notably this week, the Jharkhand Government had also withheld permission for the Rath Yatra festival at the Jagannath temple in Ranchi on the ground of Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year also the Government had withheld permission for Sharavani mela during nationwide lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic. However, last year BJP’s Godda MP Nishikant Dubey who is also the trustee of the temple had fought a court battle to allow special prayers at the temple after which the State Government made provision of virtual darshan.
When contacted Dubey said had no idea about this. “People are completely clueless about Shravani mela. Either the State Government is keeping people in the dark or the Chief Minister is clueless as usual,” he said.
However, sources in the Government said the Government is apprehensive due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Pandemic has been the cause of concern and especially after the second wave causing deaths one should be very careful. Now there is apprehension of the third wave hence any mass gathering may further spread the pandemic,” sources in the Government said without offering any hint of the fate of the festival.
On being contacted Deoghar DC Manjunath Bhajantri said district administration has not instructed anything about the fair.
“District administration will act as per the instruction of the State Government. In such a matter state disaster management authority is authorised to take any decision and to speak on this issue,” Deoghar DC said.
The disaster management authority is headed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Health Minister Banna Gupta is one of its members.
When contacted the Minister he said no discussion about fair and prayers at Deoghar temple has taken place before the authority.
“I am not sure whether and when disaster management authorities will discuss this matter. I am not in a position to confirm anything,” he said.