Organisers of Hindu celebration on Edinburgh beach apologise for 'error of judgement' over gathering

Organisers have apologised for the “error of judgement” in holding a Hindu celebration on an Edinburgh breach which sparked public criticism for appearing to breach Covid rules.

Police were called to break up the group of around 40 who were celebrating the Chhath Puja in the Western Harbour area of the city on Saturday morning after a video of the gathering was published on the Bihari Community of Scotland Facebook page.

Chhath, celebrated six days after Diwali, is a major festival for people of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and is dedicated to the Sun god and a key ritual involves devotees standing in water - at places like beaches or riverbanks - and making offerings to the deity at sunset and sunrise.

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that officers were called at around 9:45am on Saturday and gave advice to those in attendance and that the group dispersed.

The organisers of the Chhath Puja apologised for an "error of judgement" on Saturday. Pic: Bihari Community of Scotland Facebook

On Tuesday afternoon, a statement was published on the Bihari Community of Scotland Facebook page which said: “We have seen the news in Evening News and all at Bihari Community of Scotland (BCS) extend unreserved apology for the error in judgement on the occasion of Chhath - the most auspicious poojas for us.

“We should have looked more carefully into the rules for religious occasions and should have been careful all the time.

“We would never break the rules intentionally, hence immediately dispersed when pointed by the police. We are all law abiding citizens hence are very disappointed with the error even if it was unintentional. Sorry.”

The Scottish Government website does not appear to make specific reference to outdoor religious gatherings like this but states that, under tier three restrictions, indoor acts of worship are limited to a maximum of 50 people providing there is sufficient space to maintain two metres social distancing with those of another household.

More generally, in line with tier three restrictions, a maximum of six people can meet outdoors from two separate households while maintaining a two metre social distance from those of another household.

A maximum of 20 people are allowed to attend weddings, civil partnerships and funerals in a place of worship, registration office or hospitality venue - providing the venue’s capacity allows for social distancing - under coronavirus level three protection measures.

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