KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday lifted the restrictions on Durga Puja immersion imposed by the West Bengal government, allowing it till 12 a.m. on all days including on Muharram day.
Terming the government's directive as "arbitrary", the court asked the police to assign separate routes for Durga Puja immersion and Tazia on the occasion of Muharram in the city and ensure satisfactory security for the both processions.
The government banned idol immersion after 10 p.m. on September 30 - Dashami when the Durga Puja ends. The Muslim community will mark Muharram on October 1.
The high court has allowed immersion of Durga idols till 12am on all days, including Muharram, and asked police to designate routes for immersion and 'Tajia' procession.
Delivering a stern rebuke, the high court told the state not to curtail citizens' rights senselessly.
"You are exercising great power without any root or base... Just because you are the state, can you pass arbitrary order?" the court said.
Hearing three PILs challenging the restrictions on immersion of idols at the end of the five-day Durga Puja festival, a bench headed by acting chief justice Rakesh Tiwary said the government could not take action on meager assumption that the law-and-order situation might deteriorate owing to Vijaya Dashami and Muharram falling one after the other.
"If you get a dream, that something will go wrong, you cannot impose restrictions," the bench, also comprising Justice Harish Tandon, told the West Bengal government.
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