Durga idol immersion case: HC asks Mamata govt to not create communal rift

Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt had issued an order prohibiting immersion of Durga Puja idols after 10 pm on Sept 30

Questioning the West Bengal government's curbs on Durga idol immersion, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday said the State cannot hinder a citizen's right to practise religion on the basis of a mere assumption of law and order disruption and must provide sound reasons for doing so.

"Let them (Hindus and Muslims) live in harmony, do not create a line between them," acting Chief Justice Rakesh Tiwary said, asking the government to provide a "concrete ground" for its decision to stop the immersion of Durga idols after 10 pm on September 30 (Vijaya Dashami day) and on October 1 on