Tejasvi Surya
BJP youth leader Tejasvi Surya blasts ‘biased’ BBMP order on Durga puja
In letter to BBMP chief Gaurav Gupta, Surya alleges only Hindu fests face such ‘restrictions’
BENGALURU:
BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta is in the cross-hairs of firebrand BJP youth leader Tejasvi Surya for his allegedly ‘discriminatory’ and ‘arbitrary’ directives on the upcoming Durga puja celebrations in the city.
In a one-page letter addressed to Gupta, the Bengaluru South MP has expressed his angst against the BBMP directive vis-à-vis precautions to be taken for the Durga puja festivities, referring to it as ‘discriminatory, arbitrary and illogical in nature’.
What link between idol size and Covid?
“The restrictions imposed through the order regarding the size of the idol appear to be taken without any logical relevance. It is beyond the understanding of any reasonable person as to how the size of the idol is related to the spread of the Covid-19 virus. There is no basis for this decision of allowing idols which are only 4 feet or below. This is prima facie arbitrary and devoid of merit,” Surya maintained in his note.
I spoke to @BBMPCOMM & asked him to revisit Durga Pooja rules which are discriminatory, arbitrary & illogical.
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 6, 2021
He assured me that these rules will be reviewed forthwith & sentiments of devotees will be given utmost importance.
Let’s celebrate with all fervour!#ShubhoMahalaya https://t.co/cLkqI9yxz1 pic.twitter.com/9Ypxy1w2aR
He added: “The local administration has no locus standi to direct what pooja and how much of it is to be done. It is for the devotees to decide the ‘Pooja Paddhati’ and hence the direction of allowing ‘Basic Pooja and Rituals’ is bad in law. The restriction on dhol/drums takes away the very fervour of joy and celebration. None of these rules has any established connection with the spread of the virus. Additionally, when there is an overall restriction on the number of persons allowed for different rituals, restricting activities like dhol/drums is devoid of merit as well.”
‘Blind eye to other faiths’ fests’
Continuing his broadside against BBMP, Surya’s letter said: “It is highly regrettable that the administration imposes such harsh and arbitrary rules only during celebrations of the Hindu community and turns a blind eye towards celebrations of other faiths. This discriminatory imposition of restrictions is condemnable and patently unconstitutional.”
The Hindu youth leader demanded that the BBMP chief revisit the rules and prepare a more inclusive, logical set of rules that are restricted to pandemic management, and not regulate the ways and means of celebrations which are best decided by the devotees.
What was BBMP’s circular?
The BBMP chief, in his October 5 circular accorded permission to Bengali community associations in Bengaluru to perform Durga puja from October 11 to 15 with Covid- appropriate protocols in place. A key requirement was that the idol should be sanitised before installation and its size should be restricted to 4 feet.
ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ದುರ್ಗಾ ಪೂಜೆಯನ್ನು ಆಯೋಜಿಸುವ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸಂಘಗಳು ಅನುಸರಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ಮಾರ್ಗಸೂಚಿಗಳು ಇಲ್ಲಿವೆ. ಸಮಾಜದ ಒಳಿತಿಗಾಗಿ ಸುರಕ್ಷತಾ ಮುನ್ನೆಚ್ಚರಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟುನಿಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಅನುಸರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಎಲ್ಲರಲ್ಲಿ ವಿನಂತಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ.
— Gaurav Gupta (@BBMPCOMM) October 6, 2021
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