By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 18, 20201: The ban on community celebration of Ganesh Puja by the state government has been challenged in the High Court through a public interest litigation (PIL).

Sibendra Kumar Hati (65) of Buxi Bazar, Baniasahi, Cuttack, the President of Cuttack Nagar Budha Ganesh Committee, has challenged the order to stop Ganesh Puja at Cuttack and Bhubaneswar terming it as illegal and arbitrary action. Hati t has described the order as violation of fundamental rights and customs.

The ban has been imposed on community celebration of Ganesh Puja in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by the Commissioner of Police Bhubaneswar-Cuttack. The Commissionerate Police on Thursday said that no community Ganesh puja will be allowed this year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and had added that no permission has been given to puja mandaps in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on August 22.

In the PIL, Chief Secretary, Special Relief Commissioner, Commissioner of Police Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Collector-cum-District Magistrate Cuttack, DCP Cuttack, Commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation and DGP Odisha have been named as respondents.

The petitioner has cited that Ganesh Puja is a famous festival of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and has added that worship of Shri Budha Ganesh of Buxi Bazar Baniasahi has been continuing for more than 600 years.

The petitioner has said that Ganesh Puja has been going on for more than four decades at Cuttack town in different streets and clubs besides in some old peethas and in about 17 to 20 places more than 400 years.

He has pointed out that Ganesh Puja is the starting of all pujas at Cuttack town and also Bhubaneswar.

The petitioner has prayed the court for quashing of the order of the Commissioner of Police terming it as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and issue direction to allow to do religious practices for Ganesh Puja at Ganesh Mandaps of twin city Cuttack and Bhubaneswar with restrictions of social distancing using mask and gathering of 10/20 persons without sound and procession etc. at the time of customary Puja and immersion without public gathering.