Key points:
- Delhi government has decided to ban community Chhath Puja.
- Health Minister order people to celebrate the festival at their homes during the pandemic.
- As there is continuous rise in Covid-19 cases in Delhi.
On Thursday Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, Delhi government has decided to ban community Chhath Puja celebrations at Ghats to restrict the spread of the novel corona virus pandemic.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority(DDMA) has instructed officials to ensure that Chhath Puja this year is not performed at public places, river banks and temples in Delhi, citing the recent rise in Covid-19 cases in the national capital.
In an order, Delhi chief secretary Vijay Dev, who is also the DDMA executive committee chairman, directed all district magistrates (DMs) and deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) to ensure strict compliance of its order and to encourage people to celebrate the festival at their homes during the pandemic.
Additionally, the order also directed the DMs and DCPs to meet religious and community leaders, as well Chhath Puja organisers, to get their cooperation to maintain law and order and harmony, and to sensitise people regarding compliance of the DDMA guidelines and other norms to combat Covid-19.
The coronavirus situation in Delhi was reviewed and it had been observed that there is a continuous rise in virus cases in the National Capital Territory of Delhi in the recent period, the order said.
“Considering this, it has been decided that Chhath Pooja celebrations in the month of November 2020 may not be allowed in public places and people may be advised to celebrate the festival at their home only,” it added.
