Summary:
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana high court has issued notice to Chandigarh administration and home secretary on a plea seeking ban on wedding parties being held in one of Chandigarh’s landmark venues, Rock Garden. The petitioner has alleged that the organisation of weddings in Rock Garden is against the purpose for which it was created. The HC sought its reply by February 4.A public interest litigation was filed by Ram Kumar Garg, president of Second Innings Association, seeking ban on weddings in Rock Garden. It was also argued that the UT does not require to earn extra through weddings.Garg also mentioned that the Rock Garden is in a silence zone and that a wedding party create a nuisance there. He also alleged that visitors to the Rock Garden often had to go back disappointed on finding that the third phase of the Rock Garden was closed, to celebrate a wedding.Advocate Arora, who was representing the petitioner, stated that Nek Chand became world famous for his Rock Garden and was invited by many countries to set up such rock gardens in their countries as well.This has made the Rock Garden a must-see destination for many foreign tourists who come to Chandigarh.According to Arora, the administration has ignored the needs of a large number of tourists, including foreign tourists, and have caused inconvenience to them by allowing marriages to take place in the Rock Garden.It was also mentioned that the administration had earlier banned weddings in the Rock Garden on June 19, 2017.But after 17 months, without giving any explanation for its decision, had allowed marriage parties to take place at the Rock Garden again..