Juhu beach is getting ready to worship the sun god tomorrow with the Chhat puja that is celebrated on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Karthik. For the past twelve consecutive years, Sanjay Nirupam, Congress MP, has been organising the puja on the beach every year. “I conduct this puja with bhakti and shraddha. It is not for any political reasons. The ones who opposed the Bihari puja due to political reasons have had the results they wanted,” said Nirupam.
Around four to five lakh people are expected to turn up for the festival that starts with a prayer made to the Sun god. Devotees fast till the next day morning. Unlike last year, no Biharis have been invited this time. “I did not have time and could not invite anybody from Bihar like last time. There are enough Biharis in Mumbai,” said Nirupam. “Food stalls were not allowed by the administration. But, there will be programs by Manoj Tiwari and Divya Bharati,” added Nirpuam.
The police are, however, not taking any chances. Fearing disruptions by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena members, the police have made tight security arrangements. More than 1000 men from the Mumbai police have been deployed in areas near the beach. The newly formed quick response teams have also been put to work. “We have covered all security aspects and precautions have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place,” said additional commissioner of police, Amitabh Gupta. The SRPF and the RAF have also been deployed.
