Vijayapura: Though the Ganesh Chaturthi is still a few days away, the politics over the immersion of Ganesha idols has already started and is getting intense between two groups of the ruling BJP.
While a section of BJP supporters including pro-Hindu activists have been demanding the District Administration allow them to immerse the Ganesha idols in the historic Taj Bawadi, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and other activists are opposing such demand.
Those who are in support of the demand, have contended that since immersion was allowed for decades till 4-5 years ago, the District Administration should permit the immersion.
They also claimed that since the water of the Taj Bawadi is not being used for any purpose after its rejuvenation, therefore, there is no point in storing the water without any reason. The Bawadi could again be used to immerse the idols. One more reason they are mentioning for seeking permission for immersing idols in Taj Bawadi itself is that they believe that after immersion of the Ganesha idols in makeshift tanks, the removal of the idols is not done in a proper manner.
Since machines are used to remove the idols, the idols break into pieces which hurts the sentiments of Hindus.
While pro-Hindu activists including some Former Corporators of the BJP are making such a demand, BJP MLA Yatnal who is also a staunch Hindutva supporter has taken exception to the demand.
He has even gone a step ahead of warning the people of invoking the Goonda Act on those who try to immerse Ganesha idols in the Taj Bawadi.
He said that he would not allow Taj Bawadi to be used for immersing the Ganesh Idols and supported the idea of doing it in makeshift tanks being set up by the City Corporation.
Former Minister and Congress MLA M. B. Patil who had taken the initiative to revive the ancient open well when he was Water Resources Minister, has also expressed anguish over the demand of Hindu activists.
He said that the Taj Bawadi was cleaned with the objective to restore the heritage and use the water. He said that the water could be used to meet the daily demand either for washing or bathing if not for drinking.
He urged the District Administration to install machines to draw water for utilising it after the rejuvenation.
Meanwhile, City Corporation has made it amply clear that it will not allow anybody to immerse the idols in Taj Bawadi.
Commissioner, Vijaykumar Makalaki has said that since it is the order of the Supreme Court not to destroy the natural water source and spoil the water, the Corporation will not allow water to get polluted with the immersion of idols.
Moreover, since Taj Bawadi is a historic monument, it should also be preserved and protected. As far as the usage of water is concerned, he said the same water is already supplied to the District Government Hospital. He said that the Corporation is ready to set up an adequate number of mobile immersion tanks and makeshift tanks to allow smaller and bigger idols for immersion.
