Today, On 6th November, The Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought permission to conduct Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna River. The court cited the severe pollution levels in the Yamuna, stating that it would be unsafe for people to enter the river’s waters for the festival. Observing potential health risks, the court emphasized the need to protect public safety. The decision highlights ongoing concerns about the Yamuna’s pollution levels and its impact on public gatherings.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking permission to hold Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna River.
Filed by Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan, the petition requested that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the regional Sub-Divisional Magistrate allow the public to celebrate Chhath Puja on the riverbank and asked the Delhi government to ensure the area’s cleanliness.
Read Also: Delhi High Court Rejects Plea Against Chhath Puja Ban on Yamuna Banks
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela rejected the PIL, citing severe pollution in the Yamuna, which posed health risks.
Chief Justice Manmohan remarked,
“We are not saying that your puja will pollute the river. We are saying that the river is already so polluted that you are likely to fall sick.”
Justice Tushar Gedela noted that the Chhath Puja ritual involves standing in water up to waist level, stating,
“Are you aware of the rituals? You have to stand in the water till waist length. We cannot allow this.”
The counsel for the Delhi government agreed, adding that the Yamuna is “highly polluted” and allowing devotees to perform the puja could pose health risks.
The High Court referred to its recent decision in the Shabnam Burney case, where it took suo moto cognizance following a media report on the river’s pollution levels.
The court also highlighted the ongoing discharge of sewage into the Yamuna, remarking,
“At the eleventh hour, we can’t do much. If you want to get involved in the cleaning process, you can do so,”as it dismissed the plea.
Read Also: “Fence Yamuna Floodplains After Removing Encroachments”: Delhi HC to DDA Chairman
Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated mainly in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as parts of Nepal. Observed over four days, it involves rituals that honour the sun’s life-giving energy and express gratitude for prosperity and well-being.
The festival’s unique practices include fasting, taking holy dips in rivers or other water bodies, and offering arghya (a ritualistic offering) to the setting and rising sun. Devotees, often standing in water, sing hymns and perform rituals during dawn and dusk, which are considered auspicious times for worship. Chhath Puja emphasizes purity, discipline, and simplicity, with elaborate rituals that create a strong sense of community and devotion among worshipers.
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