Immersion as usual, unaware of ban: BGUS
9,000 additional police personnel from other areas have been called in for the immersion day
HYDERABAD: The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS) said on Tuesday that it had not received any court order with regard to the ban on the immersion of plaster of Paris idols in the Hussainsagar, and would go ahead with the immersion of Ganesha idols as usual. It said the right to worship was a fundamental right accorded by the Constitution.
The Telangana High Court on Monday reiterated that the blanket ban ordered earlier was still in place against the immersion of PoP (PoP) idols in the Hussainsagar or other natural water bodies.
BGUS general secretary Dr Bhagawant Rao said: “Worship is our fundamental right. We have installed the Ganesha idols and as usual, the immersion will take place. We, the devotees, and the mandap organizers, are the consumers of the idols. We don’t know what material goes into idol making.”
The BGUS took part in a coordination meeting with the police and other government departments at the Exhibition Ground. It questioned the absence of the GHMC commissioner and reminded that there were riots in 2010 due to alleged GHMC negligence.
BGUS leaders said that improper lighting, lack of toilets, and discussion of key routes were to be discussed with the GHMC commissioner.
Police commissioner C.V. Anand imposed a ban on paper horns and paper guns during immersion.
Speaking in a Hyderabadi dialect at the meeting, Anand asked that non-vegetarian food not be sold on the immersion routes, DJs not to be deployed, and alcohol not to be consumed.
“When playing music, try to play devotional songs only,” he said. He said that 9,000 additional police personnel from other areas have been called in for the immersion day.