Don’t create divide between Hindus, Muslims: HC to Didi
Questioning the West Bengal government’s curbs on Durga idol immersion, the Calcutta high court said on Wednesday the state cannot hinder a citizen’s right to practise religion on the basis of a mere assumption of law and order disruption and must provide sound reasons for doing so.
“Let them (Hindus and Muslims) live in harmony, do not create a line between them,” acting Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwary said, asking the government to provide a “concrete ground” for its decision to stop the immersion of Durga idols after 10 pm on September 30 (Vijaya Dashami day) and on October 1 on account of Muharram.
Hearing three PILs challenging the restrictions, a bench, also comprising Justice Harish Tandon, said a mere assumption that a law and order situation might arise, owing to Vijaya Dashami and Muharram falling one after the other, could not be the basis of imposing these curbs.
“People have the right to practise their religious activities, whichever community they may be of, and the state cannot put restrictions, unless it has a concrete ground to believe that two communities cannot live together,” the acting chief justice said.
AMANG TO HEAD GTA
Meanwhile, in an unexpected move, the Bengal government on Wednesday announced the formation of an administrative board helmed by expelled Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Binay Tamang to run the semi-autonomous Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
Ironically, it was Tamang who led the agitation that culminated in GJM leaders burning the GTA accord at Darjeeling on June 27.