400-year-old Hindu fair shut down

The Rath mela in Dhamrai has been suspended by the local police citing security concerns. But it is alleged that the fair was stopped over a rift between the local lawmaker and the municipality mayor. The Rath mela is integral to the biggest Rath Jatra Utsab in the country.

It is unacceptable that the municipal mayor and his men went to the venue and forced the traders to dismantle their stalls. Allegedly, some of the traders were also beaten up by the mayor's men. Earlier, the mayor allegedly wanted to set up a cattle market at the same place which the local Hindu community, backed by the local lawmaker, opposed. Or maybe he had taken offence for not getting invitation by the organisers of the festival. It seems that the whole affair of closing down the fair was triggered by the ego clash between the mayor and MP.

Instead of resolving the issue, the local administration opted to stop the fair on the pretext of security concerns which is simply ridiculous. If there were any such issues the authorities should have addressed them by taking adequate security measures instead of impeding the festival. One cannot cut the head to cure the headache. This is a matter that concerns a minority community's right to celebrate its festival. It is a failure of the local administration that the festival was not allowed to be organised, and it should be called to account for this.

The local administration should take immediate measures to ensure peaceful celebration of the Rath festival and assist the organisers to continue the fair. The affected traders should also be compensated. The ruling party should look into the issue seriously since the infighting between their party men is affecting the general people.