People enter Rabindra Sarobar by breaking open locks

Around 200 people on Saturday morning broke open locks of two gates of Rabindra Sarobar here to perform Chhat puja rituals in the waters of the lake.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a directive to the West Bengal government on October 14, 2019 had directed it to ensure that there is no violation of its 2017 order banning any ritual for Chhat puja or other festivals in the Rabindra Sarobar lake.

An official of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the custodian of the lake, confirming the forcible entry of some people into Rabindra Sarobar said, "we are talking to concerned officials. We will see whatever can be done."
Vinod Jha, who allegedly entered the Rabindra Sarobar lake said, "We have been offering Chhat puja at Rabindra Sarobar for ages. We will not go to any other place. If we are stopped forcibly we will sit at the spot and perform our ritual there."