A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was submitted requesting permission to conduct Chhath Puja along the banks of the Yamuna River, contesting the existing ban on the ritual. Nonetheless, the Delhi High Court denied the request, citing the severe pollution of the river. The bench, headed by the Chief Justice of Delhi, pointed out that allowing the ceremony to take place in the river could result in health risks, referencing a recent incident where an individual became ill and required hospitalization after bathing in the contaminated water.
The court also noted that nearly 1,000 alternative locations had been made available for the puja, with proper arrangements established for the celebration. Consequently, the petition was dismissed. The court emphasized that there are safer ghats and designated areas for conducting the puja. It acknowledged that the ban was likely enacted due to the high pollution levels in the Yamuna River, warning about the potential health hazards from bathing in such polluted water.
This case was brought before the court by the Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan, which argued that permission had been denied previously during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that now, reimposed restrictions were hindering people from practicing the puja in their traditional way in Delhi. The counsel for the Delhi government informed the court that alternative sites had been arranged for the ritual. Meanwhile, as the four-day Chhath festival commenced with the customary ‘Nahay Khay’ on Tuesday, a disconcerting scene marred the spiritual atmosphere along the banks of the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj in Delhi.
Devotees had gathered in large numbers to offer prayers and partake in the holy bathing, a key component of the festival dedicated to the Sun God. However, their devotion was overshadowed by the sight of toxic foam floating on the river, starkly highlighting the city’s ongoing pollution crisis.