Cuttack To Shut For 12 Hours, BJP Protests Odisha Govt’s Durga Puja Guidelines

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday (September 13) in protest against the guidelines of the state government for the festive season ahead.

The BJP is opposing the move of the government over imposing restrictions for upcoming Durga Puja festival. BJP leader and former minister Samir Dey informed that the shutdown will remain in force in Cuttack from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow. However, the bandh will have no impact on the essential and emergency services in the city.

Senior leaders of the saffron party had earlier demanded the government to reconsider its decision and relax certain restrictions, but the government allegedly did not pay heed to the demands. BJP and several other socio-cultural organisations are demanding relaxation in the restrictions imposed by the State government on the height of idols of Goddess Durga. They are also unhappy over orders to conduct rituals behind the curtain.