Satara (Maharashtra): A representation was submitted to Shri. Prakash Mutyal, the District Chief of Police and Dr. Achyut Godbole, Mayor of Satara by different Hindu Organizations appealing to them to keep anti-immersion organizations away from places of immersion. Shri. Mutyal assured that ANS would not be allowed anywhere near immersion sites. He said that nobody can forcefully demand donation of Sree Ganesha idols and it will be an offence under the law entailing legal action against the concerned. People are allowed to immerse the idols in the ponds in the city and there will be police security provided at the places of immersion.
Shri. Babuji Natekar, Maharashtra Pradesh Mantri of VHP, Shri. Ravindra Kothale, city-co-organizer of Bajarang Dal, Shri. Narendra Patil, the district-chief of Shiv Sena and members of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti were present on the occasion.
Dr. Achyut Godbole said that Ganesh-devotees can immerse the idols in ponds as per the tradition; but to maintain ponds clean, artificial ponds will be created. This would reduce the cost of Rs. 10 lakhs required to be spent on the ponds (Srushti Eco Research Organization has mentioned in its report that immersion of Sree Ganesh idols does not cause pollution. Therefore, the cost of Rs.10 lakhs spent on ponds is due to the effluents released by factories in the pond. Hindus need to educate the mayor on the issue. Contact No. of the mayor is 9422038211 and that of his office is – (02162) 234245 – Editor). But nobody will be compelled to immerse idols in such ponds.
Source: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’
