The BJP has criticised the Hemant Soren government's decision to ban processions of Sarhul and Ramnavami, which are scheduled between the first and second week of April, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Ranchi district administration on Tuesday announced the enforcement of section 144 under CrPC during Holi.

Sarhul, a tribal festival, and Ramnavami, a carnival for the Hindus, draw lakhs of crowd on the streets in Ranchi and elsewhere in the state. Other districts too are either in the process of notifying or have already notified the restrictions.

“We strongly object to Hemant Soren’s tuglaqi farman (autocratic diktat). It is a direct attack on the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus and our adivasi brothers and sisters. Both the festivals are of great significance and reverence,” said BJP's state chief Deepak Prakash.

“Those processions can easily be held through proper planning on a low scale and in total compliance of the covid safety guidelines,” he advocated and stressed that their opposition to the total ban orders shouldn’t be looked through political prism.

“If the Hemant Soren government is so serious and concerned about curbing the Covid-19 situation, he (CM) should publicly announce and ensure that he and his party will not hold public campaigns and mass gatherings for Madhupur bypoll. Such electoral gatherings equally pose threat of the virus spread,” he demanded.
The Madhupur bypoll is scheduled on April 14.