PANAJI
Although the Government of Goa has already imposed a ban on the import and sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols over the past few years, their sale continues unchecked in the state, especially through idols imported from other states. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has urged the government to enforce this ban strictly and immediately to make Goa free from PoP Ganesh idols.
A memorandum regarding this demand was submitted today to Egna Cleetus (IAS), South Goa Collector; Ankit Yadav (IAS), North Goa Collector; Varsha Parab, Deputy Collector, Mapusa; Shubham Naik, Deputy Collector, Ponda and Nehal Talwanekar, Deputy Collector, Bicholim.
At Bicholim, HJS delegation comprised of Krishna Marathe of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other organisation representatives.
Several temples extended support to this initiative, including Shri Durgamata Mandir of Davorlim, Margao; Shri Swami Samarth Mandir, Shri Ghogleshwar Mandir, Ghogol, Margao; Shri Sankat Bhajan Hanuman Mandir, Shri Shripad Shrivallabh Mandir and Shri Damodar Mandir of Margao.
Additionally, Hindu Yuva Shakti, Mapusa, submitted a similar memorandum to Varsha Parab, Deputy Collector of Mapusa.
HJS memorandum further appealed to government to promote environment friendly Ganesh idols by encouraging Ganesh idols makers who prepare Ganesh idols of Shadu clay. The government should ensure that after Ganeshotsav, Ganesh idols should be immersed in flowing water. Also appeal was made to form a task force comprising of members of officials from the Environment Department, State Pollution Control Board, Excise, Commercial tax Department and the Police to monitor import and sale of PoP idols in the state.
