Andhra Pradesh High Court upheld that the, decision of the State government not to permit Ganesh festivities at public places by erecting pandals in view of Covid-19.
By hearing an emergency motion petition filed by the Vinayaka Chavithi Utsava Committee of Tirupati and T Omkar of Tirupati, Justice Ch Manavendranath Roy said though festivities cannot be held at public places, Ganesh idols and pandals can be set up in private places.
Omkar’s counsel K Srinivasulu contended that the police who gave permission to hold political meetings denied the same to celebrate the Ganesh festival. He urged the court to permit the installation of Ganesh idols and allow people to participate in the puja.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have asked the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government to allow Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Andhra Pradesh this year.
V Muraleedharan opined the imposition of restrictions on Ganesh Utsav in Andhra Pradesh an insult to India’s rich traditions.
BJP has begun protests to press its demand for public festivities to be held, the party had organised a protest in Kurnool where Veerraju was detained before being released later.
Meanwhile, Srinivas has warned the BJP for provoking people against and causing communal disharmony in the state.
In response to the minister, Veerraju accused the state government of pampering minorities and discriminating against Hindus.
Meanwhile, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has also questioned the restrictions on Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations, saying that the state government didn't have any problem in organising public functions on the occassion of Jagan Reddy's father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's death anniversary.