HJS appeals Goa govt to ban Ganesh idols made from paper pulp

Panjim : In the year 2011, the Maharashtra Govt. took a decision to promote Ganesh idols made of paper pulp. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) filed a PIL with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against this decision. The NGT, on the basis of research conducted by various Research Institutes and environmentalists, arrived at the conclusion that paper pulp Ganesh idols cause high level of pollution. Thus, on 30th September 2016, the NGT brought a stay on Maharashtra Govt. decision of promoting paper pulp Ganesh idols.

The Goa Govt. has always been instrumental in curbing environmental pollution. This has been proved by the measures taken by the Goa Govt. to ban PoP idols some years ago. Likewise, the Goa Govt. should also impose a ban on the ”highly polluting paper pulp” Ganesh idols. This demand was made to the Goa State Pollution Control Board by HJS’ Goa State Co-ordinator, Dr. Manoj Solanki. This information was given by Dr. Manoj Solanki, Goa State Co-ordinator, of HJS in a press conference held in a city today. Sau. Shubha Sawant of Sanatan Sanstha and Shri. Satyavijay Naik of HJS were also present at this time.

Environmental Pollution caused by immersion of paper pulp idols – Research highlights. A 10 kgs paper pulp idol pollutes a 1000 litres of water. Poisonous elements such as Zinc, Chromium, Cadmium, Titanium Oxide were found in this polluted water. According to the research conducted by ‘Environmental Protection Research Foundation’ oxygen levels fell down to zero in distilled water containing the said paper pulp. The honourable Court agreed that this is extremely fatal for marine life. The H’ble Court also agreed to the fact that tiny particles formed from the dissolved paper pulp can get stuck up in the fins of fishes and may prove fatal to them by causing obstruction in their respiration.

Don’t deprive Gomantak Hindus from their right to vote!

On 23rd August, bye-elections are going to be held and Ganesh Chaturthi is on the 25th August. This may create a possibility of many Goan Hindus being deprived of their right to vote. Hence, the HJS had requested the Election Commission to postpone the date of the bye-elections. To this, the Election Commission wrote back saying ‘There is no issue since the election date falls 2 days before Ganesh Chaturthi festival’. However, it is apparent that the Commission has not gathered any information about the Ganesh festival before arriving at this decision. The fact is that Ganesh festival preparations begin 1-2 weeks before the date of the festival. Many Goans of Goa go to their native village for celebrating Ganesh festival. These people are in two minds now, whether they should stay back to vote or go to their native for celebrating the festival ?

The Commission has not taken adequate measure to ensure that the citizens are not deprived of their fundamental right to vote. It is necessary to note that during election period in the year 2014, the election date was changed although it did not co-incide with the date of Catholic festivities, but was around it ! The HJS has demanded from the Election Commission that the bye-elections date be postponed  and the Commission should not make decisions that cause hurdles in the ideal process of choosing an elected representative.