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India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why Goa says no to plaster idols of Ganesh
Ahead of August 27, when Ganesh Chaturthi, the most popular festival in Maharashtra and Goa, begins this year, the Goa government has banned the import, transportation and sale of Ganesh idols made from plaster of Paris (PoP) citing its adverse effects on public health and the environment. In South Goa, the district collectorate has issued a memorandum asking deputy collectors to monitor the situation, enforce the government's directive, and file complaints in court against violators under relevant sections of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Chitrashalas—the workshops where Ganesh idols are crafted and given finishing touches—are being inspected, says Egna Cleetus, Collector, South Goa Goa Pollution Control Board, too, is taking samples from the chitrashalas to check for the presence of PoP in idols, with or without clay, in the making and crafting of idols. No PoP traces have been detected so several PoP idols were being brought in from neighbouring states for sale in Goa during the Ganesh festival, the state government's department of environment and climate change notes in its directive that the idols manufactured from hydrated calcium sulphate by the calcification process harm the environment as they do not dissolve or disintegrate fast enough after immersion in water. Moreover, the chemical paints and dyes applied on the idols include toxic substances such as mercury, zinc oxide, chromium, lead and cadmium, which harm marine life. These are carcinogenic to humans when worship in Maharashtra used to be a modest, private ritual, with small, hand-crafted idols made from local clay, until 1893-94, when, following a series of Hindu-Muslim riots, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak elevated the festival to a public spectacle. The most popular festival among both Muslims and Hindus in the 19th-century Bombay presidency had been Muharram. In Pune, the taziyas or taboots representing the tombs of the martyrs of the battle of Karbala were installed in the wadas (mansions) of prominent aristocratic families like the Rastes, the Khasgiwales and the Kunjirs. Tilak wrote against the British government's moves to curb Muharram processions during the bubonic plague epidemic. There is a photograph of the nationalist leader participating in one such procession at the Budhwar Chowk in Pune in 1892. The scholar 'Ahitagni' Shankar Ramchandra Rajwade writes how the Brahmin Bhikobadada Agashe, a renowned wrestler in the Lokhande Talim in Pune, would don the attire of a malang (Muslim faqir) and perform the lezim before the taziya procession of the Ghodepir dargah in Pune, with his disciples. The Ghodepir procession was so revered and popular that a bullock cart used to move around with it to collect the revdis (a sweet) showered on it by bystanders and with Hindus refusing to commemorate Muharram due to sectarian tensions, the number of taboots in Pune fell to around 50-75 in 1894 from a much higher 400 the previous year and Tilak began promoting the celebration of Ganesh Utsav, which soon replaced Muharram in its popularity among the masses. Though many credit Bhau Lakshman Javale a.k.a. Bhausaheb Rangari for launching the celebration, Tilak's massive popularity and mass contact helped popularise it. Soon it spread to the neighbouring states such as Goa and Karnataka, which have organic cultural and economic linkages with shift to plaster idols has its origins in tinsel town. The movie Navrang (1959), produced and directed by the legendary V. Shantaram, featured a 11-feet Ganpati idol, crafted in-house by his Rajkamal Kalamandir studio, in a dance scene depicting the Holi festival. This idol was later immersed ceremoniously, says his son Kiran Shantaram. Idols worshipped at the public Ganesh mandals used to be much smaller in comparison, but this trend of installing huge PoP idols gradually caught on. Gradually, even households switched to these and environmentalists note that PoP pollutes water sources and enters the human food chain through seafood. PoP is made by heating gypsum to remove water, resulting in a powder that hardens when mixed with water. A 2023 study on the Tapi river, which runs through Maharashtra's northern edge, found a clear correlation between PoP idol immersion and degraded water quality. The paints often contain toxic metals like lead and cadmium. PoP itself may take months—or even years—to dissolve, raising water hardness and harming aquatic life. The PoP clogs the burrows of fish and crabs, damages mangrove roots, and is blamed for affecting the breeding of Bombay duck, sponges and other marine annual use of PoP across Maharashtra is about 4,500 tonnes, with Mumbai alone accounting for 675 tonnes, notes the 2023 study. PoP and clay idols from Pen in Raigad district and nearby areas like Hamrapur, Tambadseth, Johe, Kalave and Dadar are exported to states like Goa and Gujarat, and even others say PoP idols are cheaper and lighter than those made of clay, leading to the end consumers preferring them. The idols are also said to be durable and 2000, the rationalist and anti-superstition group Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) launched a campaign in Kolhapur seeking to dissuade citizens from immersing plaster idols in the Rankala lake, but its activists faced a wall of opposition. In 2005, the late Narendra Dabholkar of MANS filed a PIL with the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court. On January 30, the court, in an interim order, instructed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies in Maharashtra to strictly enforce the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 2020 guidelines—against the use and immersion of PoP idols, even in artificial tanks, during the Maghi Ganeshutsav (January-February).On June 9, the court modified its order, allowing the manufacture and sale of PoP idols, albeit with a caveat that they cannot be immersed in natural water bodies. This followed a submission by a CPCB expert panel that clarified the 2020 guidelines were advisory, not binding. In May, the state government's Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission had also submitted a report to the high court on eco-friendly approaches to the immersion of Ganesh idols, and strategies to minimise pollution of water bodies like the use of smaller idols and eco-friendly July 24, a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne cleared the decks for the immersion of only those idols exceeding the height of 6 feet in natural water bodies. All idols below the height of 6 feet shall be immersed only in artificial water tanks. The court's order will prevail until March to India Today Magazine- Ends
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
South Goa authorities intensify security
Margao: Following the gang violence at Mungul, Margao, earlier this week, South Goa's police brass and the district administration announced a security overhaul, including intensified night patrolling and stricter tenant verification drives. In a high-level law and order review meeting held at the Matanhy Saldanha administrative complex on Thursday, South Goa collector Egna Cleetus and SP Tikam Singh Verma outlined enhanced security measures aimed at ensuring public safety during the upcoming festive season. The authorities decided to significantly increase night patrolling across the district, with focus on vulnerable areas and high-footfall zones. With Ganesh Chaturthi and Milad-un-Nabi approaching, the administration placed special emphasis on maintaining communal harmony. Police teams will maintain heightened vigilance during the festive period. Arrangements were reviewed for crowd management, traffic regulation, illumination, and cleanliness. Directions were issued for strict action against traffic rule violators, including those involved in drunken driving, rash driving, and illegal parking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Officials also reviewed pending chapter cases under the Criminal Procedure Code and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to ensure their timely disposal. Cases of custodial death and incidents of bullfighting were also discussed, with instructions issued for strict monitoring and prompt legal action in accordance with the law. _______________________________ 9th accused held in Mungul case Margao: The Fatorda police on Thursday arrested Sunil Bilawar, 20, in connection with the Mungul assault case, bringing the total number of arrests to nine. Bilawar, a resident of Gogol, Margao, will be produced in court on Friday for remand proceedings, police sources said. TNN Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Time of India
With SOPs still not in place, dhirio continue in Salcete
Colva: The controversial and illegal dhirio, or bullfights, appear to be gaining ground once again in South Goa, despite a renewed crackdown ordered by South Goa collector Egna Cleetus. The collector had recently announced the formation of a special committee aimed at eradicating the practice, but the events continue to be organised in defiance of the law. Over the past week alone, bullfighting enthusiasts have staged events at multiple locations. On Aug 8, a bullfight was reported at Varca, followed by another the very next day on Fatrade beach. The high court banned dhirio in 1997, citing violations of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. To curb the rising number of such illegal events, the collector on July 10 announced a multi-stakeholder committee. The panel was to include mamlatdars, police officers from various stations at Salcete and Mormugao, veterinary officers, and representatives from animal welfare organisations. The objective was to coordinate efforts, implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), and respond quickly to reports of dhirio. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo However, officials on the ground said that the system is yet to function as intended. 'The SOPs have not yet been circulated to us,' said Colva police inspector Vikram Naik. 'Our role is to maintain law and order and register cases. For actually stopping dhirio, veterinary officers and trained bull handlers have to be present.' The dangers of these fights extend beyond the animals. In Jan 2024, a 38-year-old bullfighting enthusiast was gored to death during a bullfight at Benaulim. Just a few months later, in April, one of the fighting bulls died instantly when its opponent's horn pierced its heart during a violent clash. Despite legal prohibitions, the lure of dhirio — also tied to illegal betting — continues to draw participants and spectators. Animal welfare groups have reiterated their demand for faster implementation of the collector's directives, Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
South Goa collector forms special panel to combat bullfights
Margao: South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, by an order, formulated a committee to tackle the persistent issue of bullfights (dhirio) in the district. The committee comprises mamlatdars, police officers from each police station in the Salcete and Mormugao talukas, veterinary officers, and animal welfare organisations. The multi-disciplinary team is tasked with taking immediate action during any reported or ongoing dhirio events across South Goa. The committee covers the jurisdiction of seven police stations: Margao, Maina-Curtorim, Colva, Fatorda, Cuncolim, Verna, and Mormugao. Each area has designated personnel, including joint mamlatdars, police inspectors, veterinary officers, and bull handlers from organisations like the Dhyan Foundation and Shikeri Gaushala. The order states that committee members must 'remain alert and responsible for taking necessary and immediate actions during any reported or ongoing bullfight incident'. The officers are directed to coordinate among themselves and maintain readiness, especially in vulnerable areas identified as high risk. Formation of the committee follows a directive by Cleetus on June 17, who ordered police to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and deploy various intelligence-gathering methods to identify locations where these illegal activities are being planned. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Le Bitcoin Passe la Barre des 90 000$ – Un Marché Haussier est-il en train de Naître ? eToro Market Updates Click Here Undo The directive came after an incident at Colva where an FIR was registered against organisers of a bullfight. During a high-level law and order coordination meeting, Cleetus stressed the need for swift intervention. The order also states that in the absence of designated officers, link officers must be appointed to ensure smooth functioning and maintain readiness at all times. Dhirio has been banned in Goa since 1997 after the high court of Bombay at Goa passed a judgment against it, and the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Bull Owners' Association, declaring it to be in contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Despite the legal prohibition, these traditional bullfights continue to operate underground.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
Crackdown on bullfights begins in Goa
Margao: Within days of South Goa collector Egna Cleetus's stern orders to intensify crackdowns on illegal bullfights by strengthening intelligence-gathering operations, South Goa police have begun delivering results. Colva police arrested Liyakat Ali Shaikh from Margao and Conceico Rodrigues from Benaulim for organising a bullfight on Thursday in an open field behind the cemetery at Betalbatim. Both accused were charged under Sections 11(m) and 11(n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Colva police said the accused organised the fight between two bulls named 'Assam' and 'Guzzur' 'for public entertainment, inciting the animals to fight each other in full public view, thereby subjecting them to cruelty.' Illegal bullfights and safety violations were the focus of a high-level law and order coordination meeting chaired by Cleetus earlier this week. The review meeting placed particular emphasis on dhirios that continue to flout legal restrictions despite repeated crackdowns by police. Cleetus issued directives to police to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and take immediate action to prevent such events. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The directives came in the wake of a recent incident at Colva where an FIR was registered against organisers of an illegal bullfight. More complaints have been received by police about similar illegal activities on the coastal belt. Stating that cops were determined to double down their efforts against dhirios, a senior police officer said, 'We have been conducting round-the-clock surveillance as instructed by the collector.' Police have successfully prevented several such events in recent weeks, the officer said. Nevertheless, police sources said that the penalty of a paltry amount provided in the statute fails to serve as a deterrent to the perpetrators.
