‘We need to create alternatives for immersion of Ganesh idols’

It was in Kolhapur that the movement to prevent immersion of Ganesh idols in natural water bodies was started. And such was the response that since 2008, immersion of idols has been banned in Rankala lake in Kolhapur. The campaign has now gained momentum across the state. Green activist Uday Gaikwad of Kolhapur was the key person who started this campaign. He looks back and shares his experience with DNA on the issue.
 
Please throw light on the movement.
During the summer of 1988, the Rankala lake had nearly dried up. Our call for shramdan to remove the slit and filth evoked a massive response on June 5, 1988. We realised that the immersion of Ganesh idols and nirmalya thrown in the lake were main reasons for silting of the lake. We took the next step during the 1988 Ganesh festival by requesting people not to immerse nirmalya in the lake and got a good response.

In 1989, Raje Sambhaji Tarun Mandal took a bold step by keeping a drum near Rankala lake for immersion of the idols. This mandal still keeps the drum. And subsequently, we kept two more drums near the lake for immersion purpose.

Initially, we spent our own money for carrying the idols and conducting the immersion in a quarry, now the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has made provision for the same. The nirmalya is given for making compost.
 
But is it true that your movement attracted the wrath of Hindutva groups?
Initially, there was no opposition from any groups. However, Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti got involved in the movement and the saffron groups started opposing it. The saffron groups’ argument was that non-believers should not interfere with the religious rituals.

Besides, there was criticism on why the samiti was not raising other pollution-related issues. We initiated the dialogue with saffron groups in 2007 and in 2008 they supported our cause.
The KMC prepared artificial ponds near the lake for immersion. The police also supported the move. It was a huge success and people now don’t immerse idols and nirmalya in the lake. The idols of Ganesh mandals are also not immersed in the lake; for them a quarry is being used. Now, people don’t have to be told to use artificial ponds for immersion.
 
But there is no similar success when it comes to immersions of idols in Panchganga river?
It is true that the success we got in preventing people from immersing idols in Rankala lake could not be achieved at Panchganga river as well. But nonetheless, water drums for immersing the idols are made available during the festival every year and increasing number of people are using it.

But the Ganesh mandals immerse idols in the rivers. We need to create viable alternatives before asking Ganesh mandals not to use the rivers to immerse the idols.

What is the reason for success of the movement at Rankala lake?
We are continuously conducting programmes to create awareness for the last 23 years. Our group always takes up issues concerning pollution of the lake. We did not take up this cause for publicity sake.

Hence, we succeeded in pursuing the saffron groups and public to stop immersion in the lake. In one instance, the KMC used the garbage carrying vehicles for lifting immersed idols, which created uproar. Now, the KMC arranges decorated tractors for carrying the immersed idols. 

The support of KMC, police, the students of National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme in this movement is praiseworthy. In 1990, the Shankaracharya of Karveer Peeth issued a letter supporting us. The same peeth in 2001 called for lowering the height of Ganesh idols.