Idol immersion ban to continue

The bench,however,directed state government and the district authorities to inform the public about the alternative arrangements being put in place for immersion of idols by Sunday. The immersion of idols will take place on Monday,October 14.

Amicus curiae in the matter,Arun Kumar Gupta,said: “The court has directed the government and the district authorities to make preparations for immersion of idols at an alternative site and inform the general public about it through advertisements in the media,newspapers and other medium.”

Earlier in the day,Swami Narendranand,through his counsel Omkar Nath Tripathi,submitted before the court that ban on immersion of idols in river Ganga would impinge on ages old tradition. “We also submitted that the authorities have not been able to find alternative sites so far. As per tradition,the idols cannot be buried. However,the court did not pass any order,” he said. The Bangali Welfare Association too had sought time till next year on the ground on similar grounds.

Last year,the high court had banned immersion of idols in the Ganga. However,it had allowed the state and district authorities one more year for ascertaining alternative sites that could be used for immersion.