MNS questions Ulhasnagar civic body as Chhath Puja prepared at Antilia Ghat after Ganpati immersion objection

Politics is likely to heat up in Ulhasnagar over Chhath Puja. The reason is the city's Antilia Ghat, where Ganpati immersion was earlier opposed and where preparations for Chhath Puja have now begun.

Antilia Ghat has been in political discussion for some time. Mayor Ashwini Nikam of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) had set out her view in a letter that Ganpati immersion should not take place at this ghat. The letter raised the issue that immersion could cause water pollution. Subsequently, Additional Commissioner of the municipal corporation Dheeraj Chavan also wrote a letter explaining the reasons for the opposition to Ganpati immersion. This brought the question of immersion at Antilia Ghat into the spotlight.

Now preparations for Chhath Puja have begun at the same ghat. It has emerged that the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has given the municipal administration a letter seeking permission for Chhath Puja. Questions have since begun to be raised about the administration's stand on Ganpati immersion and Chhath Puja. There is also talk of whether different standards are being applied to two religious events at one ghat.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken a firm stand on the matter. The MNS asks that if Ganpati immersion causes pollution, will Chhath Puja not cause pollution too. The party demands that the administration not discriminate between religious events and apply the same rules to all. The MNS has also asked how it can be justified to cite pollution to oppose Ganpati immersion and then seek permission for another religious event at the same ghat.

An attempt was made to get reactions from office-bearers of the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) on the dispute. Office-bearers of both parties declined to comment. The political tussle in the matter is therefore likely to intensify.

All eyes are now on what stand the municipal administration takes on permission for Ganpati immersion and Chhath Puja at Antilia Ghat. It remains to be seen whether the rules stay the same for all religious events, and what the administration decides after the MNS objection.