A day after the Calcutta High Court lifted the state government’s restrictions on Durga idol immersions on October 1 during Muharram, West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi on Friday said the judgment was “an appeal to maintain peace and work in coordination”.
“It’s not a question of the judgment in favour of or against anybody. It’s an appeal to the people in West Bengal at large… to maintain peace and to work in coordination and cooperation with each other. Every resident of Bengal should cooperate in such a manner that both communities celebrate their festivals in their own way peacefully and in a cooperative spirit,” Tripathi said here.
He said “there is no question of any conflict or tension between the two communities”.
“We all owe a duty to both communities to ensure that the festivals are observed in a peaceful manner,” the Governor added.
The High Court on Thursday allowed Durga idol immersions till 12 a.m. on all days, including on ‘Ashura’, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram.
Terming the government’s directive as “arbitrary”, the court asked police to designate separate routes ahead of idol immersions as well as the ‘tazia’ processions on Muharram in the city and ensure adequate security for both.