Bengaluru: Following backlash and letter from MP Tejasvi Surya, BBMP scraps top restrict for Murti and puja restrictions for Durga Puja

Bhartiya Janta Party MP from Bengaluru, Tejasvi Surya had lashed out at Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday for issuing discriminatory and illogical restrictions for the continued pageant of Durga Puja.
At the pretext of curbing the unfold of Covid-19, BBMP had introduced that the peak of Durga idols shouldn’t exceed 4 ft and had even imposed a ban on using drums for the pageant amongst different tips. 
Karnataka | Idol dimension shall not exceed greater than 4 ft; 1 idol ought to be put in per ward with permission of respective Jt Commissioner of zone. Asscn shall not permit greater than 50 individuals at a time throughout prayers: Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Pallike tips for Durga Puja pic.twitter.com/Yt8xFjb2yc— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2021
The BBMP in its tips additionally talked about ‘sanitizing’ the idols earlier than set up which obtained a powerful objection from devotees. 
Taking cognizance of the matter, BJP MP from Bengaluru South Tejasvi Surya had written a letter to the Chief Commissioner of BBMP to revisit Durga pooja guidelines. 
I spoke to @BBMPCOMM & requested him to revisit Durga Pooja guidelines that are discriminatory, arbitrary & illogical.He assured me that these guidelines can be reviewed forthwith & sentiments of devotees can be given utmost significance.Let’s have a good time with all fervour!#ShubhoMahalaya https://t.co/cLkqI9yxz1 pic.twitter.com/9Ypxy1w2aR— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 6, 2021
BBMP withdraws restrictions
Following a hard-hitting letter by the BJP MP and public outrage, BBMP Commissioner Gaurav Gupta has withdrawn the order with fast impact. The determination was taken after Gupta held a gathering with the assorted Durga puja committees in Bengaluru on Thursday.
“The restriction of 4 feet height of the Durga idol in public places has been lifted,” knowledgeable Gupta in an official launch.
Further, there can be no additional restrictions for ‘Pushpanjali’ and ‘Sandhi’ puja. Traditional devices like ‘dhol’ have additionally been allowed for use for prayer rituals.
‘This is a colonial relic’
BBMP’s restrictions on idol top and ban of musical devices had sparked an issue on social media.
Taking a powerful objection to the baseless tips, Surya had Tweeted, “I spoke to @BBMPCOMM & asked him to revisit Durga Pooja rules which are discriminatory, arbitrary & illogical. He assured me that these rules will be reviewed forthwith & the sentiments of devotees will be given utmost importance. Let’s celebrate with all fervour!”
Surya in his letter had additionally referred to as out the colonial hangover and common bias exhibited in direction of Hindu festivals by the paperwork repeatedly.  “The restrictions imposed through the order regarding the size of the idol appears to be taken without any logical relevance. It is beyond the understanding of any reasonable person as to how the size of the idol is related to the spread of the Covid-19 virus,” he mentioned in his letter.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s letter to BBMP. Image Source: Twitter
“It is highly regrettable that the administration imposes such harsh and arbitrary rules only during celebrations of the Hindu community and turns a blind eye towards celebrations of other faiths,” the letter mentioned additional.
Giving a name to finish the colonial hangover, Surya in a follow-up Tweet mentioned, “There is a general tendency in sections of the bureaucracy to think that it’s OK to put any and every kind of restrictions on Hindu festivals. This is a colonial relic. Post-2014, the awakened Hindu resists such attempts.”
There is a common tendency in sections of the paperwork to suppose that it’s OK to place any and each sort of restrictions on Hindu festivals. This is a colonial relic.Post 2014, the woke up Hindu resists such makes an attempt. This colonialism should finish too. https://t.co/BU5YMSbdxH— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 6, 2021
People react to restrictions on Hindu festivals
After the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh authorities, it was BBMP that obtained flak for imposing baseless restrictions on Hindu festivals. Several netizens took to Twitter to register their protest. 
“BBMP rules are illogical! What has Murti height got to do with Pandemic? Sanitisation of Murti before installation? Why no restrictions for Friday Prayers and Political rallies?” Tweeted Girish Bharadwaj of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. 
BBMP guidelines are illogical! What has Murti top obtained to do with Pandemic? Sanitisation of Murti earlier than set up? Why no restrictions for Friday Prayers and Political rallies?— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) October 6, 2021
“Which law permits such restrictions?  Right to worship comes under freedom of religion but laws are only in books,” requested one other person. 
Which regulation permits such restrictions? Right to worship comes underneath freedom of faith however legal guidelines are solely in books.— a hindu (@ahindu_) October 6, 2021
Another person questioned, “What is the scientific significance behind having idol’s height at 4ft?”
What is the scientific significance behind having idol’s top at 4ft?— Anirudh (@anirudhmurali88) October 6, 2021
It can also be crucial to notice that the method of idol-making commences a couple of months previous to the pageant. Hence, releasing such arbitrary restrictions a couple of days previous to the pageant solely results in big losses for the idol makers and disposing of the idols that don’t match the rules.