CHHATH PUJA PLEA DISMISSED

Rosy Sequeira TNN , NOv 6

Mumbai: Questioning whether a religion sanctioned violation of its orders, the Bombay high court on Tuesday dismissed a petition by an organizer to allow it to hold Chhath Puja on Juhu beach.
A vacation division bench of Justice Ramesh Dhanuka and Justice Gautam Patel heard a petition by Mann Ranglo, a cultural organization, challenging denial of permission by the collector (suburbs) to celebrate the event on November 8-9 due to gross violations. State advocate G W Mattos said the petitioner has consistently flouted conditions imposed by the collector.
“Right from 2008 till last year their security deposit was forfeited,” he said. Mattos said in 2012 the organizer installed giant TV screens, extended the stage and put up two extra stages for artistes to perform. “On the extended stage, there was a dome and below it on a screen a politician’s name flashed,” said Mattos.

 

The judges said there is absolutely no doubt that the organizer is in breach of the court’s order. “Which religion demands violation of this court’s order?” asked Justice Patel. The organizer’s advocate, Anjani Singh, justified the use of big screens.