Delhi: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari injured during protest against Chhath puja ban

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari was injured while protesting against

Chhath

puja ban near Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence on Tuesday afternoon and rushed to emergency wing of Safdarjung Hospital.

Tiwari led a protest of a group of BJP leaders, including Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta, to demand revoking ban on the festival.

The area near the CM's residence was barricaded by Delhi Police to prevent them from marching to the CM's house.

Tiwari climbed on the barricade when the police used water canon to disperse the protestors which hit Tiwari.

Tiwari fell down and was injured.

"He has been admitted in the emergency ward of Safdarjung Hospital and is under treatment," Neelkant Bakshi, a BJP leader said.

For past one week, Tiwari has been demanding lifting of ban on Chhath puja and has also started 'Chhath Yatra' to mobilize people against the ban.

Tiwari on Monday said that the AAP government should allow celebration of Chhath puja in public places with strict Covid protocols but should not ban the festival which is connected with the sentiments of the people.

“The WHO says the coronavirus enters through eyes, nose and mouth whereas in Chhath puja devotees just wade into knee-deep water and do not take bath thus there is no chance of coronavirus spread when people celebrate the festival in riverbanks, ponds, etc,” Tiwari stated.