Locks of two gates in Rabindra Sarobar were broken this morning by Chhat Puja devotees. Those present in the area said that though there were security personnel outside the gates, there weren’t policemen to prevent the devotees from entering the Sarobar premises. There were an estimated 200 people who entered to Sarobar premises on Saturday morning, said a member of the Lake Lovers’ Forum, an NGO.
Chhat devotees barged in and tore down notices placed by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) that said performing rituals in the water body was prohibited. An official of the KMDA confirmed that this had happened and said: “We will see what can be done.” Morning walkers were verbally abused as they tried to restrict devotees from entering the Sarobar.
The security guards who usually provide vigilance in the Sarobar said that they tried to prevent the intruders but failed as the devotees far outnumbered them. They entered through two gates, one of which is commonly known as the Mother Dairy gate among local people.
They were seen preparing the surrounding areas of the water body for the rituals. Some of them also protested saying they should be allowed to perform puja in the Sarobar as they have been doing so for many years. They said that even they were against bursting of crackers, but the government should at least allow them to carry out the rituals in the Sarobar.
All rituals are banned in the Rabindra Sarobar following an order from the National Green Tribunal. Yet, Chhat puja rituals were carried out in the Sarobar last year.
This year, KMDA authorities decided to keep the water body closed to prevent the recurrence of such nuisance. Fifteen ghats – some of them temporary – were prepared in several parts of the city as alternative venue for Chhat puja. All 15 gates to the Rabindra Sarobar were to remain closed from November 2 to 3 in order to prevent polluting the lake during Chhat Puja, and causing harm not only to the water, but also to protect the flora and fauna. Plastic is banned in the lake area, and vehicles are not allowed inside throughout the year.
Read More: Under-construction bridge collapses in West Bengal’s Kakdwip
[Cover picture of Chhat Puja in 2018 at Rabindra Sarobar]
