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Ruling TVK Govt assures National Green Tribunal (NGT)
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Immersion of Shri Ganesh Murtis banned at two Chennai beaches from next year
Chennai, Tamil Nadu – The ruling ‘Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’ (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu has assured the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that permission will not be granted for the immersion (visarjan) of Shri Ganesh murtis at Foreshore Estate and Neelankarai beaches from next year. The government further clarified that from the year 2027, efforts will be made to completely halt the immersion of Shri Ganesh murtis in natural water bodies. The NGT also enquired with the Tamil Nadu government regarding what steps it has taken to levy immersion charges based on the size of the murtis.
The National Green Tribunal heard a petition seeking necessary directions to prevent pollution of water bodies caused by the immersion of Shri Ganesh murtis. The Tamil Nadu government presented this stance during the hearing.
The government stated that future measures will be implemented in compliance with directives issued by the Supreme Court, the Madras High Court, and the NGT, as well as applicable regulations.
The government added that details regarding the measures to be undertaken across the state concerning the immersion of Shri Ganesh murtis will be outlined in an affidavit to be submitted before the tribunal.
Claim of water pollution caused by Plaster of Paris, paints, and chemicals
The petitioners submitted the issue of environmental impacts on natural water bodies caused by the immersion of Shri Ganesh murtis before the tribunal. The petitioner pointed out that Plaster of Paris, various types of paints, chemicals, and other materials dissolving in the water can degrade the quality of water bodies and are also likely to adversely affect aquatic life.
The petition demanded that directives be issued to the government to ban the immersion of Shri Ganesh murtis across all beaches from next year. To prevent harm to natural water bodies, the petitioner also suggested setting up temporary artificial immersion tanks. The petitioner argued that this would enable devotees to perform their religious rituals while simultaneously preventing the pollution of natural water bodies.
- Environmentalists and the government turn a blind eye to year-round industrial and sewage pollution of water bodies, yet suddenly discover environmental concern only when a Hindu festival arrives.
- It is shameful that only Hindu traditions are targeted under the pretext of ecological care while the real, continuous polluters remain untouched.
