West Bengal govt to move Supreme Court against Calcutta HC's order on Durga idol immersion

The West Bengal government will move the Supreme Court on Friday to challenge the Calcutta High Court on immersion of Durga idols.

Kolkata: The West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee will move the Supreme Court on Friday to challenge the Calcutta High Court order that allowed immersion of Durga idols on all days from Vijayadashami on September 30, including on Muharram. 

The ruling Trinamool Congress convened an emergency meeting on Thursday evening during which it was decided that they will appeal against the High Court's decision in the apex court tomorrow. 

Mamata, who inaugurated a Durga Puja pandal here today, expressed her dissatisfaction on High Court's ruling and said, "Someone can slit my throat but no one can tell me what to do. I will do what I can to keep the peace."

Strongly countering allegations of appeasing the minority community, she said such comments against her are 'deeply insulting'.

"I do not believe in appeasement. These comments are deeply insulting. I believe in the religion of humanity that talks about the harmony among all the religions," Mamata said.

She also accused the central government of conspiring against Bengal.

"The centre hatches several conspiracies against us. They take help of different agencies from time to time. But I am a strong believer in divine powers. I believe we will demolish all the conspiracies," she said.

Mamata's reaction came on the day the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban on Durga idol immersion on the day of the 10th day of Muharram, imposed by state government and asked to ensure adequate security for both the communities taking part in their respective processions.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice Harish Tandon directed the West Bengal government to make necessary security arrangements and asked the state government to chalk out designated routes for immersion and tazia processions.

The state government had imposed restrictions on Durga idol immersion on Vijayadashami on September 30 after 10 pm and said no immersion would be allowed on October 1, the day Muharram is scheduled to be observed.

The directions by the high court came on three public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the restrictions on the immersion of idols at the end of the five-day Durga Puja festival.