NEW DELHI: Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has prohibited Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in public places in the capital due to Covid-19-related restrictions. Only at-home celebrations of the festival have been permitted. All religious, political, social, cultural and other gatherings are already banned in the city due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.
“Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated in September and considering the prevailing restrictions on gatherings and congregations and the present situation of Covid-19 pandemic, it has been decided that the celebrations may not be allowed in public places and people may be advised to celebrate the festival at their home only,” a DDMA order released on Tuesday evening stated.
Since the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic early last year, public celebrations of various festivals have been prohibited.
DDMA has asked all district magistrates and district deputy commissioners of police and other authorities concerned to ensure that neither idol of Lord Ganesha is set up in tent, pandal or public places this year nor any kind of permission shall be granted for the procession. The authorities have also been asked to inform and sensitise the field functionaries about these instructions for strict compliance. DDMA, however, is yet to take a call on whether Ramlilas will be allowed or not.
