Jamshedpur puja organisers demand change in norms

Jamshedpur: Unhappy with the guidelines set by the state government, Durga Puja organising committees of

Jamshedpur

sought for amendments to them on Friday. Around, 350 puja committees organise the puja in the Steel city.

Office bearers of Jharkhand Kendriya

Durga

Puja Samiti objected to the capping of the height of the idols to four feet and prohibition on playing dhak and distribution of bhog.

North Zone Durga Puja Committee (NZDPC) functionary Anjan Sarkar said the committee will take up the matter with the central puja committee to seek changes in the guidelines. “How will we efficiently carry out the pushpanjali without microphones and speakers? If devotees cannot come to the pandals, they should at least be able to hear the prayers from a distance,” Sarkar said. A detailed meeting will be convened on Sunday for the step ahead, said Sarkar.

Milani Club Durga Puja Committee’s joint general secretary Krishnendu Chatterjee said the notification lacks clarity. “Performing puja by covering the pandal from all four corners to ensure the goddess is not visible to the devotees from outside is not appropriate,” Krishnendu said.

He said, “If sound systems are not allowed, how will we make announcements for the devotees to comply with the Covid norms.”

Jamshedpur Durga Puja Committee functionary Debashish Nag said the state government should revise the guidelines to make it reasonable for puja organisers.

A functionary of the South Zone Durga Puja Committee requesting anonymity said, “The guidelines of the state government have been formed in haste without applying mind.”

“Asking puja committees to organise a puja without dhaks, distribution of bhog and speakers is as good as not organising the puja,” the functionary further said.

Ghasi Club Durga Puja Committee functionary Vimal Ray, said, “The pandemic has robbed the sheen of the puja celebrations this year hence, the government should be more sympathetic towards the committees and allow them organize the rituals in a hassle free manner.”