Confirming this, Jail Superintendent O P Gupta said nearly 100 prisoners, including three woman convicts, have been observing Navratri right from October 8, the day “kalash” and an idol of Goddess Durga was established on the jail premises.
“These prisoners get up early, and after bath, perform puja. They recite Durga saptasthi, and remain on fast for the entire day. On Mahanawami, i.e, on Saturday they will perform ‘havan’ near the idol,” said Gupta. Emboldened over the change of heart these prisoners have undergone, the Bihar government has decided to actively support them.
“We are backing them in performing their religious obligations by providing them basic essentials like milk, sugar,” said the jail superintendent.
For this, the government has earmarked Rs 32 per day for each prisoner who is on fast for the last eight days. Besides, family members of these undertrials also visit the jail with fruits, dry fruits and other necessary items required to perform puja.
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