Days after the Calcutta High Court ordered that all Durga Puja pandals in the state be declared as 'no-entry' zones, it appears to have softened its stance somewhat. On Panchami, a day before Kolkata's biggest festival begins, the Calcutta HC responded to a review petition by allowing the entry of up to 45 people at a time in a pandal.
While the initial High Court order had decreed that organisers can enter the pandals, this has now been amended. At the same time, the initial instructions, that the names of the people who will be allowed to enter be displayed outside still stands.
Following the initial order, around 400 of Kolkata's top Durga Puja organisers had appealed for a review on Tuesday. They had approached as part of the Durgotsav Forum.
The Calcutta High Court today said that a list of people who were allowed should be fixed on a day to day basis and hung at at 8 am every day. While a maximum of 15 people would be allowed in for smaller pujas, pandals that are bigger than 300 square metres can include a maximum of 60 people can be included in the list. However, not more than 45 people can be present at any point of time.
Despite appeals, the High Court has not given permission for anjali or sindoor khela. Alongside, the High Court order on Wednesday said that dhakis (drummers) are allowed to be present just outside the no-entry zone in each pandal.
(With inputs from Prema Rajaram)
