BGUS sees chinks in Hyd’bad Ganesh fest coordination armour

Hyderabad: The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee (BGUS) has expressed concern over the alleged lack of coordination among government departments ahead of the annual Ganesh festival, scheduled to be celebrated between September 14 and 25 in Hyderabad.

BGUS General Secretary Dr Ravinutala Shashidhar, along with committee president G Raghava Reddy Pulla Reddy, said preparations were being undertaken for the grand immersion procession of Ganesh idols on Anant Chaturdashi on September 25.

Shashidhar alleged that despite statements being issued by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the police regarding arrangements, there was little visible activity on the ground with only two days left for the festival to begin. He warned that the government would be held responsible for any untoward incident arising out of poor coordination between departments.

He said the celebrations would be conducted in a devotional atmosphere while adhering to Sanatan traditions. Expressing displeasure over the alleged treatment of committee vice-president Narayan Rathi by the Sultan Bazaar police, Shashidhar said it was “unacceptable” and claimed that such an incident had occurred for the first time in the committee’s 47-year history. He questioned whether this was what was meant by “friendly policing”.

He alleged that some police personnel at the lower level were unnecessarily imposing restrictions, including binding over devotees and registering cases, in connection with the movement of Ganesh idols.

He said there were no restrictions on bringing Ganesh idols into the city but alleged that some officers were behaving aggressively with devotees.

Shashidhar suggested Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar to review the arrangements, alleging that he may be receiving misleading information from lower-level officials.

He also questioned the selective invocation of Supreme Court guidelines on sound pollution during Ganesh festivities, arguing that the regulations should be implemented uniformly across all communities and places of worship.

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The Hans India