In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has turned down a petition challenging the ban on Chhath Puja celebrations along the banks of the Yamuna River in Delhi.

The decision was made on a Wednesday when Justice Subramonium Prasad presided over the case and signaled his intention to dismiss it.

Justice Prasad pointed out that the ban on Chhath Puja celebrations along the Yamuna River was implemented to curb pollution, emphasizing the presence of adequate safeguards. Consequently, the counsel representing the petitioners, two organizations named the Chhath Pooja Sangharsh Samiti and the Purwanchal Jagriti Manch, opted to withdraw the case.

The background of the case revolves around a notification issued by the Delhi government on October 9, 2021, which prohibited the celebration of Chhath Puja on the Yamuna riverbanks in Delhi. The petitioners argued that this notification violated the fundamental rights of Delhi residents.

During the proceedings, it was brought to the Court's attention that the ban affected a substantial number of people, estimated to be between 30 to 40 lakh. Meanwhile, neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana continued to celebrate the festival on the banks of the Yamuna.

The petition contended that the Delhi government had issued the notification without proper authority during the COVID-19 period. It further argued that the government had not cited specific laws or rules that empowered them to prohibit the worship of the 30-40 lakh devotees.

In response, the counsel representing the Delhi government stated that ponds had been constructed in all the wards of the city to allow people to observe Chhath Puja.

Ultimately, given the Court's inclination to dismiss the petition, it was withdrawn by the petitioners. The decision stands as a resolution to the challenge against the ban on Chhath Puja celebrations along the Yamuna River banks in Delhi.