As reported in Mid-Day By Kranti Vibhute on 2009-08-31
At a time when environmentally conscious Mumbaikars are opting for eco-friendly immersions in artificial lakes, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) discouraged people in Chembur from doing so, saying it was against Hinduism.
Residents of Pestom Sagar were shocked when members of HJS protested with banners during visarjan at the artificial lake at Nana Nani Park on Saturday.
“Around 15 people were present and insisted that we immerse the Ganesh idol in natural water. Yesterday, they even destroyed the place where Ganesh idols were kept after immersion.
We have filed a complaint against them after they threatened a gardener against holding artificial immersions,” said Dr Vijay Sangole, joint secretary, Pestom Sagar Citizens’ Forum (PSCF).
Despite the protests, around 500 families opted to go the eco-friendly way. PSCF has been carrying out eco-friendly Ganesh visarjans since 2005.
Mayor Shubha Raul, who is an avid supporter of eco-friendly immersions, said, “I called HJS members to my bungalow at Dadar and told them that their beliefs are a misconception.
In fact, I will have a meeting with officials from Pollution Control Board and BMC along with HJS to change their mind.”But Shivaji Vatkar, spokesperson of HJS, was adamant. “Immersion of Ganesh idols in an artificial well is against Hindu rituals. We have readings by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board regarding water pollution of 2007, which states there is no pollution in the water,” he said.
Mayor Shubha Raul has been inviting citizens to carry out Ganesh idol immersions at the artificial well in her Dadar bungalow. This year, 613 people showed up for visarjan after one-and-a-half-days. For the five-day visarjan, 387 families showed up and 400 for the seven-day immersions.
