Mamata clarifies that Durga idol immersion will be halted for 24 hrs

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday night clarified that immersion of Durga idols on Dashami will be halted only for 24 hours. The decision was taken after Banerjee met representatives of Durga Pooja and Muharram committees. “This year Durga Puja and Muharram fall on same day. Except 24 hour period on Muharram day, immersions can take place on October 2, 3 and 4,” she said.

Earlier, the Banerjee had issued an order advising no immersions of Durga idols on Dashami as it could clash with Muharram processions on October 1.

The Bengal CM had also issued a similar order last year, however, it was stayed by the Calcutta High Court. The directive for this year, however, did not go down well with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who accused Banerjee of doing vote bank politics by ignoring the High Court’s order.

BJP leader Sambit Patra said: “She cares about politics of appeasement. In the year 2016, she put a similar restriction on the immersion of Durga idol which was reprimanded by the Calcutta High Court. This year again Banerjee is doing vote bank politics and ignoring the High Court order.

The High Court had said that this is nothing but appeasement politics and gave instructions to Mamata Banerjee to not do this again. This is not right.” BJP leader Rahul Sinha said that the party would approach the Calcutta High Court against the order.