In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has rejected a plea allowing Chhath Puja rituals on the banks of the polluted Yamuna River, citing severe health risks. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by the Purvanchal Nav Nirman Sansthan, argued for the right to perform the traditional puja at the river’s banks. However, Chief Justice of Delhi highlighted the potential health hazards due to the Yamuna’s toxic foam and contamination levels, referencing recent cases of illness following exposure to the polluted water.
This decision arrives amidst the four-day Chhath festival, which began with the ‘Nahay Khay’ ritual. Despite government efforts to allocate nearly 1,000 alternative locations for safe celebrations, devotees gathered at the Yamuna recently, performing the holy bath ritual in water visibly coated with toxic foam. The sight of the foam served as a stark reminder of Delhi’s pollution crisis, casting a sombre tone over the festive proceedings and prompting a public outcry over environmental conditions.
The court’s refusal reflects a cautionary approach, aimed at safeguarding public health while underscoring the pressing need for environmental remediation. With pollution in the Yamuna reaching alarming levels, the focus now shifts to sustainable solutions that might one day restore the river’s purity for future festivals.
