Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The Left government in state is planning to curtail the celebrations of ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’. Amidst anti-Hindu remarks from Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker A. N. Shamseer and other CPI(M) leaders, the Kerala government’s next move appears to be aimed at restricting ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ celebrations.
For that, the Kerala government, in conjunction with the State Pollution Control Board, has issued a sudden circular. According to the circular, lakes and rivers should not be used for the immersion of Ganesha idols in connection with ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ celebrations. Instead, it is mentioned that only recommended ponds at locations designated by the local self-government bodies be used for immersion.
In this situation, questions have arisen regarding whether the environmental concerns of the Pollution Control Board have genuinely increased. In reality, the new circular is perceived as a scheme by the CPI(M) government to impede ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ celebrations.
Traditionally, Ganesha idol immersion involves certain rituals that require devotees to enter water bodies. But it’s worth noting that most of the water bodies suggested by local bodies are filled with polluted water, contaminated with disease-causing microbes.
In this situation, devotees are questioning how they can follow the rituals in such polluted water. They also mention that this time, most Ganesha idols are not made of Plaster of Paris and other chemicals. They also stated that none of the water bodies in Kerala are being harmed by the ‘one-day Vinayaka Chaturthi’ celebration.
Critics argue that the Pollution Control Board appears to be turning a blind eye to the contamination of highly sacred water bodies by large industries in Kerala.
Inputs Courtesy – JanamTV