Grant permission to immerse Ganesha idols in Aarey talao without disrespecting sentiments of devotees: Ravindra Waikar

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Ahead of Ganeshotsav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Ravindra Waikar on Saturday wrote a letter to animal husbandry and dairy development minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and secretary of the department Tukaram Munde to grant permission to immerse Lord Ganesh idols in Aarey talao (pond) without disrespecting sentiments of devotees or without breaking any customs and traditions.

"Keeping in mind the sentiments of devotees of Lord Ganesha and also without hampering their age-old practice, the ban imposed by the Aarey administration must be reconsidered and this year people must be allowed to use the Aarey pond to immerse the Lord Ganesha idols," Waikar said.

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The Central government declared the Aarey Dairy Colony as an eco-sensitive zone on December 5, 2016.

"This year, the Aarey administration has refused permission to immerse Lord Ganesha idols in the Aarey pond. They have also sent a letter to this effect to BMC's P-South ward. Every year, despite Aarey being declared an eco-sensitive area, idols of Lord Ganesha and goddesses are immersed in the Aarey pond. Devotees, both residential and those from various mandals across Goregaon, Dindoshi, Malad, Powai, Andheri (East), and Aarey area, bring their Lord Ganesha idols for immersion to this pond. And since this practice is in place for years together, this pond is also called ‘Ganesh Visrajan pond'," Waikar added.

In a statement, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further said that this year, since the Aarey administration has imposed a ban on the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols, there is a lot of discontent among Ganesha devotees.

"It has badly hurt their sentiments. No matter how much the administration opposes, the Ganesha devotees are determined not to change their custom and tradition and will take their idols for immersion to Aarey pond only," Waikar said.

Taking serious note of the issue, besides writing to the ministry, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also wrote a letter to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Aarey and Aarey Police Station.

Through the letter, Waikar has demanded that without disrespecting the feelings of devotees and without breaking the age-old practice, customs, and traditions, the decision taken by the Aarey administration must be reconsidered and permission must be granted to immerse Lord Ganesha idols in the Aarey pond.