Calcutta HC Allows Holding Of Gangasagar Mela Following COVID Norms, Orders To Set Up Panel

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to take a decision within 24 hours to declare Sagar Island, where the annual fair is held, as notified area.

Representative Photo: ANI

New Delhi: The Calcutta High Court on Friday permitted holding of the Gangasagar Mela, slated to begin on January 8, while stressing strict compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions.

The court also ordered the setting up of a committee that may recommend to the West Bengal government a ban on entry to Sagar Island if there is any violation of health safety norms, news agency PTI reported.

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to take a decision within 24 hours to declare Sagar Island, where the annual fair is held, as notified area.

The declaration of Sagar Island as notified area will enable the state government to take measures for safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of the pilgrims as it deems necessary.

The division bench, presided by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava, ordered the state home secretary to ensure that the COVID-related restrictions issued by the government are implemented without any lapse in the island during the Mela period from January 8 to 16.

The bench, also comprising Justice KD Bhutia, directed that a three-member committee be constituted to oversee that restrictions imposed by the state government are adhered to as the West Bengal Doctors’ Forum had expressed apprehension that measures suggested by it in an affidavit are mere “paper suggestions” and will not be implemented in practice.

The proposed committee will comprise the leader of the opposition in the State or his representative, the chairman of West Bengal Human Rights Commission or his representative, and a representative of the state, the court order stated, as reported by PTI.

The bench also ordered the authorities concerned to implement the measures as per an earlier order of the high court on holding of the 2021 Gangasagar Mela.

The home secretary has been directed to widely publicise in print and electronic media about the risk involved in visiting the venue between January 8 and 16 in large numbers to make the people aware of the same, asking them to “stay safe and desist from visiting the Gangasagar Island during this period.”

Petition Seeking Cancellation Of Gangasagar Mela

The Calcutta High Court’s order comes after petitioner Abhinanda Mondal, a medical practitioner, had sought a direction to the state government not to hold the annual Gangasagar Mela scheduled for January 8 to January 16 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at Sagar Island, situated about 130 kms from Kolkata.

According to PTI, the petitioner’s counsel had submitted that a large number of pilgrims gather at the island in the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal to take a holy dip and sometimes the footfall reaches up to 18 lakh.

In view of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, it is not in the larger public interest to hold such a mela, he had said.

The Doctors’ Forum is an added party in the petition, which was allowed by the Court on its prayer.

On the other hand, the West Bengal government had in an affidavit submitted to the court that it is not in favour of banning the Gangasagar Mela in view of the arrangements being already in place.

The affidavit stated that about 30,000 people have already visited the Mela ground and nearly 50,000 people including sadhus have arrived at different locations.

However, due to the COVID situation the inflow of devotees has come down and only about 4 to 5 lakh pilgrims are expected this year, the government stated.

In the affidavit, it further suggested certain measures, including compulsory use of face masks, maintaining physical distancing, and use of sanitisers at the fair venue to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

(With Agency Inputs)