Jharkhand Govt allows Chhath Puja in public water bodies with conditions

Guidelines were for public safety, but opposition giving political colour: CM

Hemant Soren appeals to celebrate Chhath with social distancing measures

Ranchi: Jharkhand devotees can offer Arghya at public water bodies now by complying with certain conditions. Facing fierce criticism from all parties for its order to ban Chhath in public water bodies, the state government has relented and now decided to allow offering puja at water bodies with certain conditions.

According to the latest decision of the government, the devotees can offer arghya in rivers and ponds too.

However, the Chief Minister Hemant Soren has appealed to all the devotees to ensure that they wear masks and comply with social distancing norms, keep sanitising and continue to maintain a distance of 2 yards. He also appealed to the people to visit the Chhath ghats in minimum numbers, so that coronavirus does not spread.

It may be recalled that on November 15, the Jharkhand government had issued a guideline banning Chhath puja in public water bodies in view of coronavirus pandemic. The order had created resentment among Chhath devotees.

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister Hemant Soren told the reporters at Project Bhawan in Ranchi that keeping the sentiments of the public in mind, the state government has allowed Chhath puja in public water bodies.

He said that the guidelines were issued in keeping with the order of the union government. However, the opposition was giving it a political colour, which is not right.

He said that the first priority of the government is to ensure safety of the people. Chhath is for seeking god’s blessings for long life of family members. People are co-operating with the government in controlling the coronavirus. Durga Puja and Deepavali too showed that people are responsible. Even in Chhath same caution should be observed. Infection chances are still there.

He repeated his appeal to ensure that, if possible, people celebrate chhath festival at home and minimum number of people visit chhat ghats. Even those who visit, must comply with social distancing norms.