HC permits two societies to hold Dusshera, Ramleela celebrations in parks here

The Delhi High Court has granted permission to two societies to hold Dusshera and Ramleela celebrations at two separate parks in Tri Nagar and Kirti Nagar here while directing them to scrupulously follow all safety norms.

The two societies approached the high court saying that they have been holding Ramleela and Dusshera celebrations in these parks for the last several years and earlier DDA had been granting permission to hold the celebrations at the same venues but not this time.

The counsel for the societies submitted that they had applied for the permission on August 25 but DDA did not respond to their request after which they approached the high court.

However, Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma who perused the office order passed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on August 22, said it indicate that DDA itself in compliance with the decision taken in the meeting held under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor reserved the specific sites for the period from September 6 to October 15 for these committees only, so that they are not booked for any other social and cultural function by any other organizing committee through the online mode.

“Order dated August 22, 2022, further reads that all concerned were requested to take immediate action accordingly for the smooth implementation of the above-mentioned directions. It was also directed that the other terms and conditions will remain the same as per the existing policy,” the high court noted in two separate but similar orders.

While the high court permitted Shree Keshav Dharmik Ramlila Committee to hold Ramleela and Dusshera celebrations from September 24 till October 5 at Maharishi Dayanand Park (Nepal Wala Bagh) near Kanhaiya Nagar Metro Station in Tri Nagar, it allowed Aastha Ramlila Committee to do so at the Dr.Hedgewar Park (Tanki Wala Park), Saraswati Garden in Kirti Nagar. The counsel for DDA submitted that public parks in Delhi cannot be used for marriage, holding Ramleela, or commercial purposes.

The lawyer representing the two societies showed the court a list submitted by Delhi Dharmik Mahasangh where the names of petitioner committees appear and also placed on record the DDA’s office order.

The high court said in view of the office order of DDA, the two committees be permitted to hold Ramleela and Dusshera celebrations in the respective parks subject to all conditions or regulations being complied with.

“The petitioner society (s) shall also follow scrupulously all the safety norms and other norms as prescribed by the NGT, Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, MCD, and other connected organisations,” it said.