Kolkata Durga puja pandals 'no entry' order eased
October 21, 2020 13:32
A day before Bengal's biggest festival begins, the Calcutta High Court today eased its order which declared Durga Puja pandals "no-entry zones" for visitors amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, reports NDTV. After 400 top Durga Puja organisers in the state capital appealed for a review of the order, the court today allowed entry of up to 45 people at a time.
The organisers approached the court on Tuesday as part of the Durgotsav Forum, an umbrella body of Durga Puja organisers.
Dhakis, or traditional drum players, are allowed to perform in "a limited number", just outside the no-entry zone at each pandal, the court said today, adding the "list of persons allowed should be fixed on daily basis". These lists will be put outside the pandals every day at 8 am.
While the larger pandals - which have an area of more than 300 sq metre - can list up to 60 people, not more than 45 people can be allowed at a time. The smaller pandals can list up to 15 people.
The court refused to pass any orders on the appeals by Kalyan Banerjee, who appeared for the organisers, to allow two important rituals - Anjali and Sindoor Khela.
On Monday, the High Court had said only organisers would be allowed inside pandals; 25 for bigger Pujas and 15 for the smaller ones. The names of the organisers would have to be put up on a display board daily and could not be changed, the court said.
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