HM gives up hunger strike, decides to proceed with Ganesh Chathurti
In states like Maharashtra and Telangana the governments did not discourage the fervour of the festival, it was pointed out.
Chennai: The Hindu Munnani, which had staged a day-long hunger strike protesting against the recent government order imposing 24 'strict' guidelines on celebrating the Ganesh Chathurti, withdrew its protest and decided to ensure the event is celebrated in a grand manner.
The decision to call of the indefinite protest was made on late Tuesday evening after the officials held negotiations with them. “We gave up our decision to prolong the fast after the police officials assured to consider our concerns positively,” Hindu Munnani's city general secretary T. Elango said.
The officials were said to have assured to make sure the installation and immersion ceremony turned out to be “smooth” in the districts. “By and large, they had said they would strive to ensure the conduct of the festival is smooth throughout the State,” Mr Elango added.
HM’s State president Kadeswara C. Subramaniam, State Organiser Bakthavatsalam, general secretary C. Parameswaran, besides Mr Elango participated in the talks.
A major grouse of the Hindu Munnani is that the 24-point guidelines were practically very difficult to follow and that they went against the interest of the Hindu religion and also the people who celebrated Ganesh Chathurti. In states like Maharashtra and Telangana the governments did not discourage the fervour of the festival, it was pointed out.
With the anxiety over, the Hindu Munnani has decided to install 5,080 idols of Lord Ganesh in Chennai alone on Thursday. “There is no let up in our spirit. We will be installing 80 more idols this time,” the senior leader said. Last year, the organisation had installed 5,000 Ganesh idols of various sizes and hues in the metro.