West Bengal, August 24, 2017: Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal clarified that immersion of Durga idols, after the four-day festival of Durga Puja, can take place barring a period of 24 hours.
Banerjee had issued an order earlier during the day against it as this year, Durga Puja and Muharram, the day of mourning for Muslims, are falling on the same day. Her announcement led to malign reactions on social media immediately which accused her of trying to appease the minority community.
"No idol immersion after 6 pm on Dashami (Sept 30) till October 1 due to Muharram processions, immersion will resume from October 2," Banerjee stated officially.
Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal clarified that immersion of Durga idols can take place barring a period of 24 hours
In the words of Mamta Banerjee, "Some people will try to create trouble on Hindu-Muslim grounds. Every religion is ours. But if there is a problem while a procession is passing a puja pandal, we will all be affected."
Muharram falls on October 1 this year. Banerjee stated that the immersions can be carried on October 2,3 and 4. The Chief Minister's order has chances of upsetting the Hindus even though a similar order had been issued by her in 2016. However, last year's order was stayed by the High Court of Kolkata.
In the meantime, BJP stated its arrival in the court against Banerjee's order.
– prepared by Harsimran Kaur of NewsGram. Twitter @Hkaur1025