New Delhi [India]: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday for engaging in “cheap politics,” alleging that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is obstructing Purvanchalis from celebrating Chhath Puja by keeping the gates closed.
Notably, DDA is a statutory body that comes under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
Atishi claimed that the Delhi development authority was banning entry of people into the Chhath Ghaat in Greater Kailash.
In a video shared by Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, a member of the Purvanchal community alleges that the Delhi Development Authority is preventing their access to the Ghat by keeping the gates closed. The individual called on community members to unite and pressure the government to open the gates so Chhath Puja can be performed at the Ghaat.
He complained that despite the permission of the DM to perform Chhath Puja, the people of the community were not allowed to enter the Ghaat.
“BJP hates people from Purvanchal. The level of their politics has fallen so much that they are banning Chhath Ghat in Greater Kailash through DDA. Such cheap politics will not be tolerated regarding Chhath, the great festival of faith, BJP will have to bear the consequences of this,” Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote in a post on X.
Expressing his concern on the issue, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that he plans to visit Satpula Ground in Chirag Delhi to address the matter.
“Long live Purvanchal’s self-respect Chirag, BJP ruled DDA is stopping the Chhath Ghat of Purvanchal brothers of Delhi and nearby areas. For the respect of Purvanchal, raise your voice for the rights of the brothers of Purvanchal I will go to Satpula Ground, Chirag Delhi today at 5 pm,” Saurabh Bharadwaj wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Friday declared a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja, calling it an “important festival” for the residents of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
In an official announcement, Chief Minister Atishi stated that the Delhi government has decided to observe a holiday on 7 November for Chhath Puja, enabling the Purvanchal community to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Delhi, Atishi wrote, “Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of the NCT of Delhi. Accordingly, the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to declare 7th November 2024 as a Public Holiday on account of ‘Chhath Puja’.”
The announcement follows a requeast from Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, who had urged the Chief Minister to declare a full public holiday on the third day of Chhath.
“In just a few days, we will be celebrating Chhath, a grand festival observed over four days, with the third day being particularly significant as offerings are made to the setting sun. This year, this important day falls on November 7, which has already been declared a restricted holiday. I urge the government to declare November 7, 2024 (Thursday) as a full holiday and to expedite the necessary process,” LG Saxena wrote in his letter to Atishi.