Saraswati Puja: Bhagalpur administration issues guidelines for peaceful celebrations

Bhagalpur: Ahead of Saraswati Puja, the Bhagalpur district administration has issued a series of directives aimed at ensuring peaceful celebrations and maintaining social harmony in the district.Puja committees have been instructed to obtain proper licences for public celebrations and submit detailed information, including the location of pandals, idol immersion routes, temporary electricity arrangements, and contact details—along with Aadhaar information—of committee members.The administration has issued a strict warning against playing loud, vulgar or lewd songs through sound boxes and disc jockeys (DJs) during the festival and idol immersion processions.

Police stations have been directed to register cases against puja committees, DJs and music operators found violating the ban.Legal action will be taken under the Bihar Control of the Use and Play of Loudspeakers Act, 1955, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and relevant sections of the CrPC, said officials. Carrying of lathis, spears, firearms and other sharp weapons has also been prohibited.Administrative sources said the measures are intended to prevent communal disharmony and ensure orderly festivities during the two-day celebrations beginning Jan 23, with idol immersion scheduled on Jan 24.

Earlier, a meeting jointly chaired by district magistrate Nawal Kishor Choudhary and senior superintendent of police Pramod Kumar Yadav was held with peace committee members. Puja committees were urged to cooperate with the administration and ensure no attempt is made to disturb public order.The DM said CCTV cameras would be installed at puja pandals and along immersion routes to monitor law and order situations.

Officials and peace committee members have been asked to compile data on puja committees and their members for administrative purposes.The Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation has been directed to ensure adequate water supply at artificial ponds for idol immersion and maintain sanitation at immersion ghats. The SBPDCL has been asked to ensure proper lighting arrangements, especially at river ghats.Meanwhile, SHOs across the district are holding local peace committee meetings and conducting special drives against rumour-mongering, anti-social elements and criminal activities to prevent any untoward incident during the festival.