DDA grants permission for 'Phool Walon Ki Sair' after LG intervention

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has granted permission to organise "Phool Walon Ki Sair", following the intervention of Lt Governor V K Saxena, Raj Niwas officials said on Sunday.

Last week, the organisers announced that they had decided to postpone the event as the DDA did not grant permission to organise the festival in Mehrauli's Aam Bagh.

After Saxena's intervention, the DDA has granted permission to the Anjuman-Sair-E-Gul-Faroshan, the organising body, to hold the traditional festival at its original venue, an official said, adding that the approval has been conveyed to the organisers.

Following reports about the festival being cancelled due to a lack of permits from the DDA, Saxena ordered an investigation. It was revealed that the DDA's permit was delayed due to a Department of Forests and Environment direction dated November 28, 2023, prohibiting the organisation of such a festival in the area, the official claimed.

The DDA had been granting permission for the festival regularly till 2023 and even facilitated the organisation of "Phool Walon Ki Sair" in 2024, despite the orders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, he said. However, the organisers this time insisted on a written permission, which was issued after the LG's intervention.

The officials said that a conditional permit has been granted, ensuring that no harm is done to the environment during the festival.

Saxena urged action against the erring officials for their unresponsive and apathetic approach towards the issue, the official said.

"He has reiterated that any official found acting in deterrence to public interest will be punished as per provisions," the official added.

Upon receiving permission, the organisers said that the event will be held in February-March next year.

The Lt Governor attended the festival last year, while the then chief minister, Atishi, also joined the festivities.

Hitting back, AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj accused Saxena of lying.

"LG saab has an old habit of lying, we challenge LG saab to suspend the Secretary and IAS officers who took the decision to stop Phool waalon Ki Sair, this year as well as last year. We know he will not dare to suspend the officer because it was on his directions that such anti-people and communal orders were passed by officers," he said in a post on X.

Claiming that AAP raised the issue of "Phool Walon Ki Sair", Bharadwaj said the BJP government is stopping the "centuries-old heritage of the Ganga-Jamuni culture of Delhi".

"Phool Walon Ki Sair" brings together Hindu and Muslim communities, who offer floral chaadars and pankhas at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki and the Yogmaya temple in Mehrauli. The festival traces its roots to the early 19th century. PTI SLB ANM ANM