Several Ganesh idols immersed in an artificial pond were allegedly found scattered near the jetty at Vasai Fort on Wednesday night, triggering anger among local residents and activists, who demanded action against those responsible.
Residents who spotted the idols alerted the Vasai police and civic officials, who visited the site. Local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Datta Jadhav alleged that the incident had hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and called for strict action.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner of Prabhag Samiti A. Sangeeta Ghadigaonkar said the idols appeared to have originated from an artificial immersion pond. She said the civic administration would investigate where the idols had been immersed and how they reached the fort area before deciding on further action.
BJP group leader Ashok Shelke alleged that idols immersed in another artificial pond near Vasai court were removed using a garbage collection vehicle after a contractor allegedly drained the pond water into a drain. He claimed the idols had remained submerged for several days and were removed only after the issue was brought to the civic body’s attention. Shelke also demanded action against the contractor and alleged that child labourers were being used to remove idols from artificial immersion ponds.
However, DCP (Zone II) Ashok Virkar gave a different account, stating that the idols found near the jetty had not been dumped there but had been washed ashore.
