Calcutta High Court's ruling: Durga Puja is a Secular Festival, not Religious | Watch Report

The Calcutta High Court has delivered a significant ruling, declaring Durga Puja as a secular festival rather than a religious one. The judgment was pronounced by Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya when issuing a directive to the Kolkata administration to permit a Durga Puja organizer to celebrate the festival at a designated public location within the city.

The decision comes in response to a petition filed by Durga Puja organizers who sought permission to conduct Durga Utsav 2023 at the New Town Mela Ground, an area adjacent to Kolkata. The Kolkata administration had initially denied permission, arguing that the ground was utilized for hosting various fairs in New Town.

The administration contended that the petitioners lacked a constitutional right to practice their religion in public places like parks, roads, and footpaths. However, the court rejected this argument and referred to Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, emphasizing the petitioners' equal right to celebrate the Durga Puja festival on public land.

Justice Bhattacharya dismissed the notion that the police force would be overwhelmed if Durga Puja was allowed at the specified venue. He highlighted that the simultaneous organization of numerous large-scale Durga Puja events by various organizations across the state is a common practice, indicating that such concerns were baseless.

"It is evident that Durga Puja is one of the secular festivals, akin to a fair, celebrated by various communities irrespective of their religious beliefs. The court's decision to permit the celebration at the specified location reinforces the principle of equal rights and secularity," commented legal expert Aparna Das.

The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the way Durga Puja is perceived and regulated in West Bengal, emphasizing its secular nature and the importance of equal rights for all citizens.

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