Source: VHP Press release
NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 27, 2009: Hindus in Delhi will now be required to obtain a license from the Delhi police to perform Ram Leela or public puja such as Durga Puja. According to the latest directive issued by the licensing department of Delhi police “The season of festivals is coming soon. It is mandatory to get license for Pooja from a competent authority.”
Many Durga Puja committees and Ram Leela Committees have had to abandon their plans to perform Puja/Ram Leela this year due to the very complicated and expensive procedure to obtain the required license. A committee must make an affidavit and submit a NO OBJECTION Certificate from Local Police, DDA, Traffic Police, Chief Fire Officer, Electricity Inspector, Entertainment Tax Officer, etc. Security must be arranged by puja committees from their own sources and should not be less than airport security in any manner.
Even to merely show a Ramayan TV serial on a big screen, a Ramleela committee must now go through many formalities, including obtaining a certificate from the film censor board and depositing US$12 per day.
Just last Monday, the Lt. Governor of Delhi had assured the meeting delegates of Ramleela/Durga Pooja Committees that any such complications would be withdrawn.
[HPI correspondent Rajiv Malik adds: This is something unprecedented. This kind of licensing has never been required for holding these religious events. Certain permissions from local authorities would have been required, but this procedure for all organizers is new.]