NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and his predecessor and MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday slammed the AAP government over Chhath Puja ban in public places and announced that they will protest outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on Tuesday over the issue.
They said it was strange to put a ban on Chhath Puja celebrations when markets, shops and cinema halls and even swimming pools in Delhi were open. “Lakhs of people living in Delhi belong to the Purvanchali community and celebrate Chhath with great fervour, gaiety and faith. Arvind Kejriwal does not like this,” said Gupta.
Tiwari said that the AAP government should allow celebration of Chhath Puja in public places with strict Covid protocols but should not ban the festival, which is connected with the sentiments of the people. “The WHO says the coronavirus enters through eyes, nose and mouth whereas in Chhath Puja, devotees just wade into knee-deep water and do not take bath. There is no chance of coronavirus spread when people celebrate the festival in riverbanks, ponds, etc,” said Tiwari.
AAP said the health and lives of people were most important for them. “We feel sad that BJP is playing dirty politics over it. It has no concern for the lives of the people,” the party added.
