The Calcutta High Court (Court) has in an Order dated November 5, 2020 issued certain guidelines/ protocols to be followed with regard to the upcoming Kali Puja celebrations.

Taking a cue from the earlier orders issued with regard to Durga Puja, the Court has issued the present Order in the matter of Ms. Anasua Bhattacharya Vs. State of West Bengal & Ors.

1. All pandals will continue to be No-Entry Zones, including an area of 5 metre beyond the pandals on all the open sides. Only dhakis will be permitted to occupy the space beyond the pandals and within the 5 metre zone. Except for dhakis, the 5 metre zone must be kept completely free at all times.
2. For the smaller pandals, where the covered area excluding the dais is upto 150 square metre, only 10 persons are allowed be in such covered area at any given point of time. For pandals with a covered area between 150 square metre and 300 square metre excluding the dais, the number of persons at any point of time may be 15. For bigger pandals, in excess of 300 square metre in area excluding the dais, a maximum of 45 persons can be within the pandals at any given point of time.
3. Sanitisers must be available at the puja pandals and wearing of masks is mandatory within and around the pandal area. Distancing norms must be maintained at all times both within the pandals and in an around the pandals.
4. Immersions to be low-key affairs. Processions for such purpose to not be permitted. The use of bands and lights at the time of immersion is prohibited. Local police may provide for staggered timings so that the immersion ghats are not overcrowded.

The Court also directed the State to ensure that there is no use or display or bursting of firecrackers at all during the Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations. Only wax or oil-based diyas would have to suffice in view of the larger public interest. It was clarified that this direction pertaining to firecrackers will be effective all over West Bengal and will also extend to Chhat Puja, Jagadhatri Puja and Guru Nanak’s birthday celebrations coming up.

The Court further directed that the police must maintain a strict vigil to ensure that there is no sale or purchase of firecrackers of any form in the State between now and the end of the month. Every effort must be made to confiscate firecrackers and any kind of like material which have the potential to pollute the air. Immediate appropriate measures must be taken by the police against those seeking to act in contravention of these directions and the State must ensure that no firecrackers of any kind are brought into the State, except for immediate transit to another State.

The Order clarifies that the word “firecrackers” used in the Order will include all types of sparklers and the like, whether or not the use or burning thereof involves any sound or light being generated.

Source: Calcutta High Court

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