West Bengal : Gangasagar fair starts from today, Calcutta High Court laid these conditions
After the permission of the Calcutta High Court with conditions, the famous Gangasagar fair has started in West Bengal from today. This time Gangasagar Mela 2022 will be held till 16 January. Gangasagar fair is held in Bengal every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti 2022. Gangasagar fair was feared to be canceled this time in view of the Corona explosion in the country. A petition was also filed in this regard in the Calcutta High Court, but the court allowed this fair to be organized with certain conditions.
This permission has been given after the assurance of the Government of West Bengal in the court. After this, Gangasagar fair was duly organized from Saturday. In Gangasagar, there is a law to take a dip in Gangasagar on the day of Makar Sankranti. This time Makar Sankranti is being celebrated on 15 January.
In view of the growing case of Rasal, Corona and Omicron, a petition was filed in the Calcutta High Court to ban the Gangasagar fair, but the Mamta government of the state, by giving an affidavit in the court, requested the court that the state government should attend the fair for Corona. All protocols are being followed, so the fair should be allowed. The government said, from testing to vaccination, all arrangements have been made in the fair. The government is committed to not allowing corona to spread. After getting assurance from the state government, the High Court allowed this fair with conditions.
Court formed a committee of three members
The court said that the Home Secretary of West Bengal will ensure that the corona standards are fully followed during the fair. The court has formed a three-member committee, which will keep an eye on whether the rules are being followed or not. The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to declare the fair site Sagar Island as a ‘Notified Area’ within 24 hours. On declaring Sagar Island as a notified area, the state will be empowered to take steps in relation to the health, safety and welfare of the pilgrims as per the requirement.
Court expressed concern
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, thousands of devotees, sadhus and tourists are expected to take a dip in Gangasagar, the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. But in view of the increasing case of corona, there is a concern that the corona may not explode in the fair. The court expressed concern that when so many devotees take a dip in the Ganges, then the infection of corona through river water should not infect the residents living there. On this, State Advocate General SN Mukherjee said that people living on Sagar Island have been given both doses of the vaccine and the positivity rate at Diamond Harbor is under control.
