Satara : The Degaon Gram Panchayat here had posted an appeal to donate Shri Ganesh idols. However, after speaking to a delegation of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti volunteers, the Degaon Gram Panchayat administration withdrew this decision.
The Degaon Gram Panchayat had put up a poster regarding the immersion of Shri Ganesh idols. The poster appealed to the people to conserve water resources due to the drought like situation in the area. The people were asked not to immerse the idols in the public ponds, but to immerse them in little tanks in their homes. The Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav committees were directed to immerse their idols in the Krishna river in Sangam Mahuli and Jaitapur. Those who are unable to do either were asked to donate their idols to the panchayat.
Mr Hemant Sonwane of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and devout Hindu Mr Vinayak Babar noticed this and discussed this with the Degaon Gram Panchayat administration, as well as the Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch. They explained why it is spiritually incorrect to donate the idol. The Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch and Gram Sevak of Degaon Gram Panchayat responded favourably and decided not to accept Shri Ganesh idol donations. They also appealed to the villagers who are not able to immerse Shri Ganesh idols, to seek help of the Degaon Gram Panchayat to immerse the Shri Ganesh idols in the flowing water.
Alert devout Hindus!
After the Degaon Gram Panchayat posted their appeal, some alert devout Hindus contacted the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and shared photographs of the appeal posters. After the Samiti contacted the Panchayat, the Panchayat blocked out the appeal to donate Shri Ganesh idols.
