Song and dance not part of Chhath Puja: Bombay HC

Organisers of Chhath Puja events at Juhu beach and other prominent areas in the city said they would try to keep the events as low profile as possible while providing devotees milk, water and other amenities.

WITH the Bombay High Court stating that song-and-dance events appear to have overtaken solemnity in the observance of Chhath Puja, various organisations involved in conducting Chhath Puja including those with political associations said Saturday they would abide by the court’s orders while conducting the puja, an annual event for Biharis in the city.

Organisers of Chhath Puja events at Juhu beach and other prominent areas in the city said they would try to keep the events as low profile as possible while providing devotees milk, water and other amenities.

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“We have not received the order copy of the Bombay HC so far. Only after reading it would we be able to understand if there is any prohibition on devotional songs as well,” said Ravi Singh, vice-president of the Chhath Mata Puja Samiti from Powai. “We have been assisting devotees for more than 12 years. We play devotional songs, we do not give our stage for film songs and dance. We should abide by the law so we will not play even devotional songs if the order says so,” added Singh.

The Puja this year will be conducted November 18. Traditionally, a woman from each family fasts for three days and her entire family then accompanies her to the bank of a river or sea shore where she offers prayers to the Sun at sunrise and at sunset.

On Friday, a Bombay HC bench refused to interfere with a previous order by the Collector refusing to grant permissions to Mann Ranglo, a cultural organisation, for the Chhath celebrations. Organisations usually play songs through the night and provide water, toilets and accommodation facilities on the sea-fronts, especially at Juhu beach. While the court said there was no restriction against assembling on beaches for the all-night puja and also that organisations could go ahead and provide assistance in crowd-management, mobile toilets and changing rooms, no mega event involving celebrity performers would be permitted.

Former Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam, president of the Bihari front, which had filed a petition in the Bombay HC seeking modifications in conditions imposed by the suburban collector with regard to stage size and denial of permission for a barricade between the stage and the public, said, “We would follow the court ruling if it categorically rules out devotional songs also.”

MNS legislator Nitin Sardesai said his party would have no problems regarding devotees offering prayers at the beaches. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut also said the Sena would not oppose any event conducted as per the rules laid down by the HC.

santoshee.mishra@expressindia.com

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