Amid the rise of COVID-19 cases, the Assam Government has recently issued a new set of SOPs, where the night curfew timings enforced in the state is from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
New Covid restrictions imposed by the government in the new SOPs, is going to be a grinch in the coming Magh Bihu celebrations.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 7, while speaking about how one should celebrate Magh Bihu said, “Celebrate Bihu till 10:00 PM and then return to your home. You don’t have to stay at the ‘bhela ghar.’ You may come back to ‘bhela ghar’ at 6:00 AM to light fire on the ‘meji’.”
Earlier, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has threatened to violate Covid restrictions on Magh Bihu, criticising Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for giving relaxations in night curfew on December 31 night to celebrate the New Year celebration but not in the traditional fest Magh Bihu.
He said, “The restrictions imposed by the Assam government on Magh Bihu is not acceptable. giving relaxation on December 31 night, New Year celebrations were allowed. The government also went soft on Covid curbs on New Year’s Day. But our very own cultural festivals face the attack.”
As night curfew is on in the state from 10 PM to 6 AM, Gogoi said it will spoil the Uruka Night as well as the tradition of burning of ‘meji’ early morning on Magh Bihu.
He questioned, “If New Year and puja can be celebrated without worry, why to restrict our cultural festivals?”
