A political dispute has emerged in Mumbai over Chhath Puja rituals and the immersion of religious offerings at prominent water bodies. Following demands by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Malabar Hill division chief Dinesh Dnyaneshwar Punde to bar the immersion of worship materials at Girgaon Chowpatty and Banganga Tank, Malabar Hill Police initiated swift preventive action. The authorities issued an official notice to the party functionary under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, warning against disruptions to public peace.
High Court Directives and Environmental Concerns
The notice issued by Malabar Hill Police Station invokes Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Citing orders delivered by the Bombay High Court, law enforcement emphasized that religious rituals and Chhath Puja ceremonies are strictly impermissible within the Banganga Tank premises. The judiciary had issued these directions specifically to safeguard the historical water body against ecological pollution arising from ritualistic waste, prompting the police to strictly enforce the mandate on the ground.
Demands for Parity with Ganeshotsav and Navratri Restrictions
On 13 November, Dinesh Dnyaneshwar Punde submitted a formal letter to both Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. His representation argued that the rigorous regulations and prohibitions applied to idol immersions during major festivals like Ganeshotsav and Navratri should equally extend to Chhath Puja. He insisted that no religious items or materials should be discarded into the waters of Girgaon Chowpatty or Banganga Tank, urging civic authorities to erect robust iron barricades along the perimeters and deploy stringent security arrangements.
Civic Administration Clarifications During Ward Meeting
According to statements from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, civic officials had already clarified the regulatory position during a meeting held on 12 November at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation D Ward office. During that interaction, administrative authorities confirmed that no official permissions had been granted to conduct Chhath Puja festivities at either Girgaon Chowpatty or Banganga Tank. This official position formed the core of the political outfit's objection against any public gatherings or immersion activities at these locations.
Police Issue Warning Against Public Disruption
In their formal communication to Dinesh Dnyaneshwar Punde, the police underlined the imperative to preserve public order across South Mumbai. The notice explicitly stated that unauthorized protests, sit-ins, rallies, processions, slogan shouting, and road blockades remain strictly prohibited across Malabar Hill and neighboring sectors. Prohibitory orders banning assemblies of five or more individuals also remain active in these jurisdictions. Authorities cautioned that any attempt to breach these stipulations or instigate unrest would invite immediate and stringent legal prosecution.
