The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking permission to conduct Chhath Puja rituals along the Yamuna River, a decision that has impacted many devotees who had hoped to celebrate the festival by the riverbanks. The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan, argued against the ongoing ban, which was first enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Delhi HC upheld the ban, citing severe pollution and the presence of toxic foam in the river as major concerns.
The bench, led by the Delhi Chief Justice, pointed to the grave health risks posed by the heavily contaminated water. They referred to a recent incident where an individual had fallen ill after taking a dip in the polluted river. To safeguard public health, the court urged the petitioners to consider over 1,000 pre-designated locations that have been made available for Chhath Puja celebrations. These locations are equipped with necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and clean environment for the rituals.
In response, the Delhi government assured the court that comprehensive measures had been taken at these alternate locations for the Chhath festival, which began with the traditional “Nahay Khay” on November 5th. Despite the festival’s continued celebration, the toxic foam floating on the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj in Delhi serves as a stark reminder of the city’s ongoing pollution crisis, overshadowing the religious significance of the occasion.
The Delhi High Court’s decision highlights the growing concerns over the river’s pollution levels, reiterating the need for urgent environmental protection actions. Meanwhile, the Delhi government’s efforts to provide safe, designated locations for the celebration aim to reduce health risks for the devotees.
Notably, the Supreme Court had previously criticized the Delhi authorities for failing to enforce the firecracker ban during Diwali, stressing the importance of curbing pollution in the capital. The court has sought detailed responses from the Delhi government and police officials on how to address these ongoing environmental issues.
