Court Eases ‘No Entry’ Order For Bengal Pandals, Allows Entry To 45 People

Kolkata/New Delhi: With the Durga Puja celebrations imminent, the order declaring Durga Pandals as ‘no entry zones’ for visitors, was relaxed by Kolkata High Court. The court today allowed entry of 45 people at a time, following an appeal by 400 Durga Puja organisers from Durgotsav Forum, reported NDTV.

As per court orders, Dhakis (traditional drum players), will be allowed to perform just outside the ‘no entry zone’ at each pandal in a ‘limited number’. “The list of persons allowed should be fixed on a daily basis”, said the court, adding that the lists have to be displayed at 8 am outside the pandals.

The court also said that only 45 people are allowed at a time in the larger pandals with an area greater than 300 sq metres, while 15 people can enter the smaller pandals.

The court refused to pass any orders on Kalyan Bannerjee’s appeal to allow two important rituals – Anjali and Sindoor Khela.

The earlier order barring visitors from entering pandals had come in light of concerns raised by various experts, who cautioned an exponential spread of the pandemic in West Bengal, due to reckless celebration of the festival by people, without following safety protocols and social distancing.