Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said only followers of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ would be allowed to touch Durga idols during immersion in the Hooghly river, asserting that religious traditions must be followed.
Adhikari made the statement while reviewing immersion arrangements at Babughat in Kolkata, accompanied by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand and Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey. “I have instructed the CP to keep the identification of those who will be involved in carrying the idols into the Hooghly. Those who follow ‘Sanatan Dharma’ will touch the idols. “To maintain the purity of the immersion, we have to follow the traditions, the scriptures and the rules that have been followed for several thousand years. The NDRF is also involved in security arrangements.
Earlier reporting noted: Suvendu reviews Durga Puja immersion arrangements in Kolkata amid heightened security after stampede Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday reviewed arrangements for Durga Puja idol immersions at Babughat in Kolkata, as the government stepped up security following a stampede at a city pandal that claimed 19 lives. Earlier reporting noted: The administration has intensified vigilance following the stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on Mahasaptami evening, which left 19 people dead.
There is no communal matter in it,” he said. The chief minister said arrangements had been strengthened this year, keeping in mind both the security concerns and the religious significance of the immersion rituals. This is a festival, but primarily it is a religious programme,” he said. Adhikari said trolleys had been arranged instead of cranes following complaints. A cabinet minister has also been sent to the area, while the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Barasat Range has been assigned responsibility, Adhikari said. Cleaning work will be carried out after the immersions are over,” the chief minister said.
Earlier reporting noted: “Additional precautions have been taken, and security arrangements have been strengthened.
“At least 200 country boats were expected to carry spectators during the immersion process.
The administration had tried to discourage the practice but had to take local sentiments into account,” he said.
