The photo is of the Yamuna river ghat at Kalindi Kunj, where poisonous moss is continuously visible in the water.
The Delhi High Court has refused to allow the celebration of Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna. The court said on Wednesday that the river water was highly polluted. Celebrating this festival can harm people’s health.
Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that arrangements have been made to celebrate Chhath at 1,000 places in Delhi, people can go there and celebrate the festival.
The petition was filed by Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan. In this, a notification of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority dated October 29, 2021 has been challenged. In this notification, a ban has been imposed on constructing festival sites on the banks of the Yamuna.
The petitioner said the ban was imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. But citing the polluted river, the court said the ban was imposed to prevent people from entering the poisonous waters of Yamuna for Chhath Puja.
The Delhi government has made arrangements for the Chhath festival at the ITO Yamuna Ghat. 1000 places of worship have been set up.
High Court says: Our minds are not clean, that is why Yamuna is also polluted
During the hearing, the court said that bathing in Yamuna had deteriorated the health of the people. He even had to be hospitalized. In such a situation, giving any order to this petition may have a negative impact on the health of the population.
The court also expressed concern over the growing pollution in Yamuna and said, “We cannot continue to dump our sewage into the river. This is not industrial wastewater, but human wastewater. Illegal settlements were built on the banks of the river. Their untreated wastewater flows into the river.
When the petitioner said that instead of imposing a ban, Yamuna could be cleaned, the bench said, “We are not clearing our minds. If this can be cleaned, Yamuna can also be cleaned soon. We all agree that Yamuna needs to be cleaned but it is not our priority.
The court also took politicians to task
During the hearing, the petitioner said that the pollution present in the river could also be removed. Regarding this, the court said that this work would not be possible overnight. Meanwhile, the court also mentioned the petition in which it is said that 241 slum dwellers should be evicted from the Yamuna flood zone.
The court said that the sewage of these slum dwellers was polluting the Yamuna. But instead of sending him away, all the politicians will go there and give long speeches. Because if they withdraw, the question of participation in the elections will not survive.
Despite the poisonous foam, Chhath devotees began Chhath Puja by taking bath in Yamuna.
Chhath festival started on November 5
Mahavrat Chhath Puja began on Tuesday, November 5. Nahay Khay will be offered on November 5, Kharna on November 6, Arghya will be offered at the setting sun on November 7 and Arghya will be offered at the rising sun on the morning of November 8. Arghya is offered to the Sun on the evening of the day of Chhath Puja. A person who fasts that morning remains fasted and dehydrated. Thekua is made in Prasad.
Even after performing Surya Puja in the evening, the person who fasts at night remains dehydrated. The fast is completed after offering Arghya to the rising sun on the morning of the fourth day i.e. Saptami Tithi (November 8).