Singer Udit Narayan was felicitated by home minister RR Patil (second from right) last year during the Chhath pujaGiven the high profile turnout on Juhu beach for Chhath puja, with the likes of actor Amitabh Bachchan, singer Udit Narayan and chief minister turning up in the past, this years celebrations are being scaled down.
This is following the Oct 20 court order banning loudspeakers and restricting platform size to 10X15 feet. The order comes after the Juhu Citizens Welfare Group (JCWG) moved the HC in 2004 against the elaborate Chhath puja celebrations that would leave the beach in a mess.
Of the five trusts organising the puja, three organisers are cancelling on the big names they had invited.
Abhiram Singh, organisers of Uttar Bhartiya Janta Parishad SamitiSays Abhiram Singh, former MLA and a chief organiser of the Uttar Bhartiya Janta Parishad Samiti, This year we were planning to award Vikram Thakur of Thakur colleges and comedian Raju Srivastav for their achievements. We wanted to invite NCP leader Sharad Pawar to present the awards but now there is no point. If we cant make announcements over the loudspeaker what is the point?
He adds, Last year we had home minister RR Patil present an award to Udit Narayan who also performed here with his wife. While Singh says that this year they have no choice but to abide by the rules, they will try and get permission for a loudspeaker by next year.
Reacting to JCWGs stand on the issue, Singh says, The JCWG has been too hard on us.
Another organiser Ashok Jadhav of Shrimati Daulatadevi Ramnath Yadav Memorial Trust says, This year even we had planned on calling chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh but this will not happen as there will be no loudspeakers to address the crowd. Besides the 10x15 feet size platform is too small for us to do anything. We have lakhs of people visiting.
Subhash Pasi from Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad says, We have never invited any leaders or artists to this event, so it doesnt make a difference to us.
Nirupams podium to stay
Though the JCWG is happy with the HC order banning the use of loudspeakers, they are disgruntled that Sanjay Nirupam from the Congress is openly violating the order on the platform size.
Nirupam has constructed a 6,000 square feet stage just outside Hotel Horizon. On Oct 25, the HC passed an order allowing Nirupams Bihar front to perform Bhajan Sandhya but the rules regarding platform size and loudspeaker still hold good.
Says Adolf Dsouza from JCWG, The podium erected by Sanjay Nirupam is in violation of the HC ruling. We have already complained to the collector and the Juhu police, they are yet to take action.
Speaking to metro, Nirupam says, The size of the podium will remain unchanged as I have permission from BMC. Also since it is on private property (Hotel Horizon), I dont see how its a problem. I have invited Margaret Alva and Union Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi for the function.
He adds, There will be a Bhandara organised for the people to have some food, also people will sing a few bhajans and Bhojpuri songs.
hiral.jani@mid-day.com
Official speak
Deputy collector Amol Yadav says, "We will have to survey the land on which the podium stands. If its private land nothing can be done."
P Dhond, assistant engineer, maintenance, says, "We have not given any permission to any of the trusts for erecting any structures outside the guidelines of the court."
Amarjeet Singh, chief traffic officer, K-west ward, says, "Police patrolling will be icnreased at Juhu Tara Road, Juhu Chowpatty, Tulip Star hotel entrance and Mithibai College lane. Usually autos crowd the area during Chhath puja and add to the chaos, so we will be putting up no parking signs along Juhu Tara Road."
Maximum crowd is expected between 6-8 pm when the puja will start.
