Allahabad HC Disposes Plea Seeking Permission For Organizing Durga Puja With Direction To Approach DM [Read Order]

The Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Varma refused to grant permission for organizing the festival as the same is "subject to guidelines prescribed by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to combat the COVID-19 pandemic."

It asked the Petitioners, Pronob Kumar Roy and another, to "agitate their cause before the District Magistrate, Prayagraj who will consider the cause in accordance with law and by taking into consideration the necessary guidelines given by the Government of Uttar Pradesh."

The Petitioners had sought permission to organise Durga Puja under the guidelines laid by the Central/ State/ District Administration on the eve of COVID-19.

They had sought for a writ in the nature of mandamus, directing the district and police administration to call a meeting of the office bearers of the Bengali Welfare Association and the Durga Puja Committee, at least 21 days prior to taking any decision in this regard, for appraisal of their difficulties.

The writ was however disposed of with a direction to approach the Magistrate.

A similar direction was passed by the High Court earlier this year, in a plea seeking permission to open mosques for offering Eid prayers in congregation.

Plea Seeking Opening Of Mosques Offering Eid Prayers: Allahabad HC Directs Petitioner To Approach State Authorities First

Recently, the High Court permitted Majlis (religious congregation) at the Waqaf Imambada Masjid, subject to Unlock-4 guidelines and ensuring social distancing norms.

"Considering the fact that no orders have been passed and only the petitioners are being restrained by means of oral communication, it is clear that the rights of the petitioner enshrined under Article 19(1) read with Article 25 are being denied without any reasons whatsoever," the High Court had observed.

Other orders passed by the Allahabad High Court on religious congregations, during pandemic:

• Allahabad HC Allows Recital OF Azan By Muezzin From Minarets Of Mosques Amid Lockdown Without Microphones
• "We Expect Organizers & UP Govt. Would Ensure Social/Physical Distancing Protocol": Allahabad HC Dismisses PIL Against 'Bhoomi Poojan' Of Ram Mandir
• [Eid-Al-Adha] 'Restrictions Do Not Impinge Upon Fundamental Rights Of Members Of Any Religion'; Allahabad HC Dismisses Plea To Ease COVID-19 Norms
• 'Complete Prohibition Of Essential Religious Practices Is In Proportion To The Unprecedented Pandemic': Allahabad HC Refuses To Permit Muharram Processions

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