Cuttack: BJP leaders and supporters staged picketing in different areas of the millennium city Monday. They wore raincoats amid the inclement weather to continue their protests. The BJP workers held placards to press for their demand to relax the restriction on the height of the Durga idols during the 12-hour Cuttack bandh called by the party.
The saffron party had called the bandh to protest the Odisha government’s August 9 guideline on festivals where the restrictions have been imposed to keep the height of the Durga idols within four feet and conduct in-door like puja in different pandals across the state. The restrictions were imposed keeping in view the prevailing Covid-19 situation in Odisha.
Most of the shops, commercial establishments, educational institutions remained closed due to deep depression induced heavy rainfall. As most parts of the state’s commercial hub was waterlogged, people preferred to remain indoors.
Large numbers supporters of the saffron party wearing raincoats picketed at the Badambadi Bus terminal and other places. They also courted arrest.
“The bandh was successful. The people on their own supported the bandh call as it was organised as a mark of pride for the Cuttack city,” said BJP Mananagar president Lalatendu Badu. He informed that BJP activists were picketing in about 100 places across this city.
“The people of Cuttack are annoyed over the state government’s rejection of request of the puja committees and peace committees to withdraw the restrictions on the Durga idol size,” Badu said. He asserted that the BJP was supporting the puja committees.
The Odisha government’s recent denial of the relaxation on the height of the Durga Puja idols has also sparked a political slugfest in the state. While the ruling BJD is divided over the issue, the Opposition BJP and Congress have thrown their weight behind the people who are demanding withdrawal of the restrictions.
The row over the Durga idol size has its impact on the ruling BJD too. Cuttack’s six-time BJD MP Bhartuhari Mahtab while attending a puja committee meeting here, wondered how the government can avoid spread of the infection if the height of idols is limited within four feet.
“I do not see any reason behind the argument that raising the idol size by another 2 or 2.5 feet will help spread the infection. It’s laughable,” the veteran Parliamentarian, said.
However, senior BJD leader and former MLA Debashis Samantray ridiculed Mahtab. “Where was the MP all along with the issue is being debated since a long time? He was not seen anywhere. But suddenly he attended a meeting and kept his views. The decision is taken for the entire state and not alone for Cuttack in view of the pandemic,” said Samantray.
Barabati-Cuttack Congress MLA Mohammad Moqim also demanded withdrawal of the restriction on the height of the idols.