Ranchi, Nov 18 (IANS): Reversing its previous order, the Jharkhand government has allowed Chhath festival at public places but with certain restrictions.
The state issued fresh guidelines to revoke an earlier order to ban rituals related to Chhath festival at public places like river, ponds, dams and other sources.
As per the new guidelines, congregations are permitted in open spaces outside containment zones while maintaining six-feet social distancing between two individuals.
Wearing of face masks is compulsory and individuals must maintain minimum prescribed distance. Spitting is also prohibited in public places, especially in water bodies.
A ban on setting up stalls near the ponds and rivers will remain in effect, as also on putting up of barricades, markings or electric decorations at the Chhath Ghats.
Bursting of firecrackers in public places and cultural programmes, music and other forms of entertainment programmes too would not be allowed.
The Chhath committees shall assist district administration officials in ensuring compliance with the guidelines.
Any person violating these guidelines will be proceeded against as per Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act of 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticised the opposition BJP for allegedly playing politics on the matter. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself says we have to maintain social distance till a vaccine does not come into the market. the BJP is however doing politics," he said. said the Chief Minister.
The BJP and other parties like JMM had protested the state government's move to ban the Chhath festival in public places in Jharkhand earlier this week due to fear of coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, a committee headed by Chief Secretary Sukhdeo Singh had said that the state government felt that it was not possible to adhere to social distance and face mask norms while performing religious rituals on Chhath on river banks. Also, he said, public bathings etc might lead to the further spread of coronavirus infections.
Thus, the people were advised to perform Chhath puja in private premises like terraces in homes by following social distance and other norms.