After Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand govt allows Durga Puja celebrations amid strict COVID-19 guidelines

The Jharkhand state government has finally caved in to the wishes of the people and announced the reopening of all religious places from October 8, and permitted the public celebration of Durga Puja by strictly adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. 

"After a thorough review of the prevailing pandemic situation, it has been decided to allow Durga Puja celebration in the state, keeping in mind that there are no congregations that could trigger the spread of the infection. Therefore, the lockdown-related curbs currently within the containment zones will be extended till October 31." a statement issued by the Jharkhand government said.

As per the order issued by the Home Prison and Disaster Management Department, SOPs have also been laid down for all the Durga Puja organisers.

The guidelines say that Durga Puja may be performed in small pandals where it has been done traditionally only with the objective of performance of rituals without public participation for which the Puja pandals shall be covered on all sides in a way to prevent any public view of the idols. Moreover, these pandals would not be constructed on any themes.

The order said that there will be no decoration in the area around the Puja pandal nor welcome gates in and around the vicinity.

There will be no Ravan `dehan` this year and no musical or cultural programme will be organised during Durga Puja. Face masks will be mandatory. Only seven people will be allowed to visit the Puja pandal at a time, the guidelines added.

According to the guidelines, the idols shall be less than 4 feet and there will be no use of a public address system, nor any food stalls in and around the pandal.

Meanwhile, Durga Puja Pandals in Uttar Pradesh have now been allowed to hold religious and cultural events in the open with established safety protocols.

The Yogi Adityanth government has said that the celebrations can now take place outside but all the guidelines for coronavirus like social distancing and wearing of masks must be followed.

A restriction on the maximum number of people to be allowed on events taking place in an enclosed space has also been imposed in line with the Centre's guidelines for Unlock 5.0. Only 50 per cent of the hall's capacity and up to a maximum of 200 people, will be allowed to attend the celebrations.

Notably, Bengali Welfare Association of Prayagraj had filed a plea in the Allahabad High Court against the Uttar Pradesh government's earlier decision of no allowing public events to celebrate Durga Puja in the state owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the high court refused to intervene in the matter and junked the plea. The petition especially demanded public celebration of Durga Puja in Prayagraj.

The high court said that the administration would take a decision in accordance with the guidelines of the central government and the petitioners could approach the district magistrate. The court also remarked that the DM would take the decision in this regard as per the latest coronavirus guidelines.