"Puja Committee Thinks They Are Bigger Than God": Calcutta HC On Plea Against Use Of Loudspeakers Near School For Specially-Abled Children

The Calcutta High Court on Friday observed that the use of loudspeakers and blocking of roads outside a specially-abled children's school for celebrating Jadadhatri puja, showed that the "puja committee thinks they are bigger than the deity itself."

A division bench of CJ TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya orally remarked:

There is a school for specially-abled children. Your puja committee must show concern for the neighbourhood. Particularly the children who are differently abled. Your committee thinks they are bigger than the god. Instead of having the gods idol, we'll have the pictures of your committee members. The president thinks he's bigger than the deity. This is all ego. You should have some regard for the people of the locality.

Petitioner submitted that throughout the year, the locality's roads would be blocked and loudspeakers would be used for some celebrations or the other.

The respondents stated that they had obtained permission from a single-bench allowing them to hold the puja and that they would refrain from using loudspeakers during the celebrations.

In disposing of the plea, the court observed that the single bench's directions on the conduct of the puja shall be strictly adhered to and that no prejudice should be caused to people in the area.

Case: PRAJNA PAROMITA SEN AND ANR. VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Case No: WPA(P)/468/2024

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Cal) 234