PMC’s false claim of immersion of Shri Ganesh idols causing pollution

PMC should take back its decisions of erecting artificial water tanks and distribution of Ammonium Bi-carbonate since these are against science; else we shall come on the streets ! – Warning by ‘Hindutvavadis’

Pune : Artificial water tanks are erected through selfish monetary interests by making false propaganda against Shri Gnash festival that this festival meant creation of pollution. Appeal is made to immerse idols in such artificial water tanks. At many places, immersed idols are taken out and thrown in river. These immersed idols and donated idols are later carried in a garbage van of Pane Municipal Corporation (PMC). The above information was exposed by media. PMC administration has been hurting religious sentiments of Hindus by denigrating Shri Gnash idols. Since last year, PMC took anti-Dharma decision of distributing ammonium bi-carbonate so that people can immerse idols at home. Last year, PM Mode had advised to use idols made of clay instead of Pop during his program ‘Mann ki baat’. PMC administration should therefore, implement PM’s appeal.

If PMC didn’t change its anti-Dharma decisions, ‘Hindutvavadi’ organizations would take to streets, was the warning given by Shri. Parag Gokhale of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) during a press conference held here.

The press conference held on 20th July at Gupte Mangal Karyalaya was attended by Shri. Vijay Gawade of ‘Gargi’ Foundation, devout Adv. Mohan Dongare, Adv. Ganesh Gaware of ‘Utkarsha Mitra Mandal’, Sanatan Sanstha’s Shri. Chandrashekhar Tandale, Shri. Vikas Bhise, an engineer associated with conservation of environment and Shri. Chaitanya Tagade of ‘Shri Ganesh Kala-kendra’.

Shri. Parag Gokhale said further that

1. Hindu ‘Dharma-shaastra’ says that Shri Ganesh idol should be made of clay and painted with natural colours. Such idols do not cause pollution. It is stated in ‘Puja-samuchhaya’ book that Shri Ganesh idols should be immersed in flowing water. Immersion in flowing water is spiritually more beneficial to the worshipper.

2. As per the information obtained under RTI from PMC regarding water pollution, everyday 17 crores 70 lakh litres of sewage water is sent to rivers without any processing. In 25 major cities in the State, more than 2-1/2 thousand million litres of water is added to river without any process. 80 % diseases are spread due to such contaminated water making 12 lakh people sick. PMC should tell us the action taken by it for prevention of this pollution.

3. What are PMC and newly proclaimed environmentalists doing when rivers and canals are polluted by adding contaminated water throughout the year ?

4. Instead of spending money on artificial water tanks and ammonium bi-carbonate; if it was decided to encourage and give grants for making of idols from clay as per ‘Dharma-shaastra’, two purposes would have been served i.e. it will lead to abiding by Dharma and prevention of pollution. PMC, however, is trying to keep Hindus away from abiding by Dharma by taking such anti-Dharma decisions. Will PMC apply the same rule for Muslims’ immersing ‘taboot’? Is claiming to be secular and imposing restrictions only on Hindus’ festivals justice ?

We shall give legal fight if need be ! – Adv. Mohan Dongare

PMC has been doing wrong and illegal things like erecting artificial water tanks and using ammonium bi-carbonate for immersion of Shri Ganesh idols against the science which is hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. We shall take to streets if PMC did not stop such anti-Dharma acts.

Claiming immersion of idols cause river-pollution, is sham ! – Shri. Vikas Bhise

On immersion of idols made from PoP, it creates gypsum which helps in water purification; the claim of PMC that Ganesh idols caused pollution is just a sham.