Devotees throng Yamuna ghats despite ban to celebrate 'Chhath'

In an apparent reference to the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said parties should not do politics on the festival

A large number of people on Wednesday performed Chhath Puja at Yamuna ghats located near ITO and Sonia Vihar defying the DDMA ban.

A throng of devotees was led in their worship by BJP leaders, including party MPs Manoj Tiwari and Parvesh Verma, even as they were resisted in their approach to the ghats by city administration.

In an apparent reference to the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who participated in the Chhath puja near Kidwai Nagar and Raja Bazar areas, said parties should not do politics on the festival.

Last month, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had allowed Chhath puja at designated ghats, but prohibited it at the Yamuna banks.

West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma participated in Chhath celebration at an artificial pond at Yamuna ghat near ITO.

Also Read | AAP govt banned Chhath celebrations on Yamuna banks to cover up its failure to clean river: BJP

"Jai Chhathi Maiya. All the struggle was for these scenes. Ensured entry of every mother and sister inside the gate, took care of their safety and honour and provided all the facilities," Verma tweeted with pictures of a large number of devotees performing Chhath at Yamuna ghat.

Manoj Tiwari, his counterpart from northeast Delhi, performed the rituals at a ghat in Sonia Vihar with his supporters.

The area SDM and civil defence volunteers tried to stop them but they pressed on.

There was no immediate reaction from district officials on the alleged violation of DDMA order.

Cabinet Ministers Satyendar Jain, Kailash Gahlot and Gopal Rai, along with MLA Raghav Chadha, visited various designated ghats.

Also Read | BJP MP Parvesh Verma invites people to join Chhath Puja celebrations at Yamuna Ghat

"There were many hurdles in the celebration of Chhath, but we overcame all the obstacles with the blessings of Chhathi Maiyya," Kejriwal said.

Despite the ban, devotees started thronging the river bank to perform rituals earlier in the day. They complained that they were being stopped by the police and civil defence personnel.

The three-day long festival of Chhatt is mainly celebrated by purvanchalis belonging to Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand settled in Delhi.

During the festival, worshippers offer 'Arghya' to the Sun god and also fast as part of the rituals.

A Delhi Police officer said adequate police arrangements have been made in view of the festival at "designated spots".

Police personnel have been deployed to manage the crowd, he said, adding the deployment has been made to keep in mind any possible terrorist activity.

When asked about security at Yamuna ghats, the officer said, "Personnel have been deployed at the river banks so that no one is allowed to go to the ghats. In case, they do, they will be stopped and dispersed from the spot.”

“We are ensuring adherence of DDMA order and taking all precautionary measures accordingly," he added.

Meanwhile, a government official said 100 teams have been deployed in Southeast Delhi to check that no violation of DDMA order banning Chhath at Yamuna banks takes place.

“There are specific orders to ensure compliance with the DDMA order, and to direct the people arriving at various river ghats including at Kalindi Kunj to alternative places for performing Chhath Puja," said a senior district official.

"We have been interacting with devotees and Chhath puja organisers to send them to alternative arrangements of ghats where all facilities including electric light, water, sanitation, medical care is being provided," he said.

Paramilitary and police personnel have been asked to urge people to comply with the DDMA order and keep an eye on law and order situation, the official said.

Delhi government had prepared Chhath ghats at around 800 places across the city in parks and other such places.

In its attack against the Delhi government, BJP also raised the issue of pollution in Yamuna and froth floating over its surface during the festival.

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said the Kejriwal governnent banned Chhath at Yamuna bank to cover up its failure to clean the river despite its seven years’ rule.

The AAP and the BJP have indulged in a war of words over Chhath for past many days. With Purvanchalis forming a large vote bank in Delhi, all major political players including BJP, AAP and Congress seek to join in the festivities.

The AAP leaders have been accusing the BJP-ruled MCD of not allowing construction of Chhath ghats in different parts of the city.

Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar also visited devotees at many places in Patparganj area of East Delhi.

With their numbers having risen over the years in the city, Purvanchalis are considered an important vote bank by all major political parties.

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