Mumbai. The demand to organise Chhath Puja at Mumbai’s Girgaon Chowpatty has not received relief from the Bombay High Court. The court refused permission to build a temporary stage and hold the event for the puja on November 15 and 16. The organisers had also sought directions to arrange the puja at another location if permission was not granted at Girgaon Chowpatty, but the court refused to issue any direction in this regard as well.
The petition was filed by the Mithila Chhath Puja Sangh. The Sangh had first sought permission for the event from the DB Marg Police Station, but the police rejected the application on September 17. The organisers then approached the High Court. The matter was heard on November 9 by a vacation bench of Justice Advait Sethna and Justice Ranjitsinh Bhonsale.
Citing earlier orders and the permission process during the hearing, the court said the right to religious freedom under Article 25 of the Constitution is subject to conditions linked to public order, morality and health. The court also noted that the committee constituted to monitor events at Girgaon Chowpatty had not been made a party to the petition. Under earlier judicial directions, permission there is provided only for certain specified events.
The court granted no relief at present and directed that the petition be listed for hearing after the court reopens. The organisers may pursue other options available under the law.
Hashtags: #MumbaiCity #Bhopal #Girgaon #Chowpatty #ChhathPuja #Permission #AlternativePlace #BombayHighCourt #ChhathPujaAtGirgaon #गिरगांव
