Delhi HC denies Chhath Puja at Yamuna

Delhi | Correspondent: Delhi High court rejects the PIL seeking permission to perform Chhath pooja rituals on the banks of Yamuna River.

The division bench headed by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said “it will be harmful to you.

The fact is that the river is so polluted that if you dip into it, there is the likelihood that the person might suffer a harm. We can’t allow that. The river is highly polluted.”

Rejecting the plea, the court referred to a recent incident in which a man fell ill after taking a dip in polluted water and had to be hospitalised.

Additionally, the court also said that the Delhi government have already designated 1,000 alternative places with adequate arrangements to perform the Chhath rituals.

Delhi High Court further said to the petitioner that you know about the bad condition of Yamuna water, still you are demanding to go in Yamuna water for worship.

We cannot clean Yamuna in one day.

But if you want cleaning of Yamuna, then file a petition on the basis of cleaning of Yamuna. Then we will hear it.

Arguing, the petitioner counsel said, as per the belief’s rituals of Chhath puja has to be performed in the flowing water of the river and not some tub or swimming pool water.

Water should be released from the Hathnikund Barrage to help purify the river flow.

Many people are returning to their villages from Delhi to perform Chhath Puja, where they hope to celebrate in a clean environment with fresh, flowing water.