The members of the organization also requested the formulation of guidelines to prevent further sales of idols that cause environmental pollution.
Coimbatore: Members of Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu have written a letter to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M K Stalin requesting to order the seizure of banned Ganesha idols that are made of Plaster of Paris.
R Manikandan, a National Water Warrior Awardee and Organizer, Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu wrote a letter to the TN Chief Minister and other Government authorities including the Coimbatore District Collector G S Sameeran about the continued illegal sale of banned Ganesha idols.
"Ganesha idols are already banned as per the direction of the Madras High Court, Chennai. Despite this ban, the sale of such idols continues by individuals in preparation for Vinayagar Chaturthi festivities. These idols once immersed in waterbodies as part of the final rituals during Vinayagar Chaturthi cause environmental pollution and harm the ecosystem. On our part during the past few years, we have time and again raised this problem to the attention of the Government authorities. But even now, these banned Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols are produced in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
We hence request that suitable orders may be issued to the Government authorities to confiscate such banned idols and statues and prevent further sale of such idols.
Moreover, the Police Department should verify if shops selling Ganesha idols have obtained proper permission from the Pollution Control Board certifying that these idols are not made of Plaster of Paris, and contain no harmful paints or shining Zari material before they are mounted at various vantage points in towns and cities.
The public should also be guided in not purchasing such idols. Efforts should be diverted to encourage sale of Vinayagar idols made of mud and the purchase and sale of Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols should be banned forthwith. Suitable guidelines should be issued by the Government to enforce the ban before the festivities begin" stated the letter.
R Manikandan, a National Water Warrior Awardee and Organizer, Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu wrote a letter to the TN Chief Minister and other Government authorities including the Coimbatore District Collector G S Sameeran about the continued illegal sale of banned Ganesha idols.
"Ganesha idols are already banned as per the direction of the Madras High Court, Chennai. Despite this ban, the sale of such idols continues by individuals in preparation for Vinayagar Chaturthi festivities. These idols once immersed in waterbodies as part of the final rituals during Vinayagar Chaturthi cause environmental pollution and harm the ecosystem. On our part during the past few years, we have time and again raised this problem to the attention of the Government authorities. But even now, these banned Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols are produced in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
We hence request that suitable orders may be issued to the Government authorities to confiscate such banned idols and statues and prevent further sale of such idols.
Moreover, the Police Department should verify if shops selling Ganesha idols have obtained proper permission from the Pollution Control Board certifying that these idols are not made of Plaster of Paris, and contain no harmful paints or shining Zari material before they are mounted at various vantage points in towns and cities.
The public should also be guided in not purchasing such idols. Efforts should be diverted to encourage sale of Vinayagar idols made of mud and the purchase and sale of Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols should be banned forthwith. Suitable guidelines should be issued by the Government to enforce the ban before the festivities begin" stated the letter.