Muslims in Varanasi take Ganga cleaning seriously, won't immerse tazia in river

A section of Muslim community here has said they will not immerse their tazia in Ganga river in the upcoming Muharram festival and will adhere to the High Court's ban order for immersion of idols and religious items in the river.

11 Taziadars (organizers of tazia processions during Muharram) of Adampur Police Station area have decided that they will not immerse their tazia (idols) in the river this time, a statement from District Information office said. Sticking to the HC's order on not immersing idols and other related objects in Ganga to curb pollution, the section will now bury their tazia in the Latsaraiya Karbala, the statement said.

The decision comes as a relief to the district administration after the city witnessed violence and arson over ban on immersion of Ganesha idols in the Ganga river.

Tazia, which is made up of wood and paper, is traditionally immersed in the Ganga river during Muharram festival.

Congress MLA Ajay Rai had been arrested along with 50 others in connection with violence and arson in Varanasi during a march by seers and other local leaders against police action on protesters opposing ban on immersion of Ganesha idols in the Ganga river.