VIJAYAWADA: The AP high court on Wednesday allowed the petitions challenging the action of Tirupati SP in not giving permission to perform Ganesh Puja on Vinayaka Chavitiat a private place.
One R Manikant Varma and two others moved the high court seeking relief from the court as they were not given permission to perform Ganesh Pujaata private place at Auto Nagar area of Tirupatitown.
The counsel for the petitioner argued that the petitioner, being a Hindu by religion, is performing Vinayaka Puja by installing an idol every year. He wanted to perform Vinayaka Puja this year alsoand submitted a representation to Tirupati SP. However, no permission was accorded till now, even after stating that he would perform puja with only five persons by following Covid-19 guidelines.
Arguing on behalf of the state government, special government pleader C Sumon submitted that the director-general police (DGP) received instructions from the union government not to allow public gatherings during the ensuing festival season to prevent further spread of Covid-19.
Acting up on the instructions received from the union government, the DGP sent instructions to all police units directing them not to give permissions to install Lord Ganesh idolsat public places, said Sumon.
He said that if the idol is put up in a private place and if the festival is celebrated without violating Covid-19 guidelines and if it is not a public affair, the petitioner is at liberty to celebrate the festival by complying with Covid-19 guidelines.
Considering arguments on both sides, Justice Ch Manavendranath Roy observed that the restrictions are imposed with a direction not to give permission to perform Ganesh puja at public places to avoid large gatherings. As no restriction is imposed to perform puja inaprivate place by complying with Covid-19 guidelines, the petitioner ought to have given permission, he said.
Permitting the petitioner to perform Ganesh Puja in his private place only with five persons, Justice Manavendranath Roy made it clear that the petitioner should not contravene Covid-19 guidelines issued by the state government.
