Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Asks L-G To Allow Chhath Puja Celebrations In Public

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. In the letter, Kejriwal has demanded to allow Chhath Puja celebration in public. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal regarding guidelines for the Chhath Pooja celebration. In the letter, Kejriwal has requested Delhi L-G to allow Chhath Pooja celebrations in public following all Covid guidelines

Kejriwal wrote in his letter, "The Covid epidemic in Delhi has been under control for the last three months."

The Chief Minister further said e, "Neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan etc. have also allowed Chhath pooja celebration with appropriate restrictions for the health and safety of their citizens. I request you to convene a DDMA meet at the earliest and allow the celebration of Chhath pooja.''

The Delhi government has been constantly targeted by opposition parties because of the Chhath Puja celebrations ban. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday accused Kejriwal of Muslim appeasement and hurting the sentiments of Hindus by banning Chhath Puja.

In a letter to Kejriwal, Tiwari said that had his (Kejriwal's) government been serious about holding Chhath Puja, it would have asked for directions from the Centre before announcing the ban. Tiwari said, "I have to say this with pain, that you regularly offend the sentiments of the Hindu community and in Delhi, you are accused of Muslim appeasement. Even by banning the Chhath festival celebrations, you have hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community."

He said Chhath is not only a festival of Purvanchalis (Bhojpuri speakers of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar), but it is also an integral part of the rich historical-cultural, and spiritual tradition of India. Tiwari said, "As a chief minister, taking such an anti-Hindu stand does not suit you. Because of you (Chief Minister), the dignity of this post is also being tarnished."