Govt likely to allow public display of Vinayaga idols

With just three days left for Vinayaga Chathurthi, the pressure is mounting on ruling AIADMK, which has suspended the Chathurthi celebrations in public sighting the incidence of corona infection, to allow the festivities in public.

Party insiders admit that the government is likely to issue permission for Ganesh Chathurthi idol installations through the district collectors and local police.

A few meetings were also organised at the state secretariat to discuss and sort out the practical issues that will come in the way of allowing the Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations.

Officials of different departments have started interacting with the organisers of Vinayaga Chathurthi celebrations.

We are confident that the state government would grant permission for the installation of Vinayaga idols, Arjun Sampath, president, Hindu Makkal Katchi said.

Karnataka and Maharashtra governments have set examples by allowing the Vinayaga Chathurthi celebration in their respective states and we will adhere to the social distancing norms prescribed by the Tamil Nadu government, he added.

“We have assured the state that we will not take processions this year and the installation of Vinayaga will be just a day’s event due to COVID19 pandemic. The state can also come out with solutions in disposing of the Ganesha idols after the poojas,” Sampath said.

“The state government has issued a total ban to install Ganesha figurines due to the corona lockdown norms and the president of the state BJP unit has already requested the government to withdraw the ban. Our party had also submitted a fresh request to the CM stating that all BJP and the saffron outfits in the state would adhere to the social distancing norms. We are waiting for good news by tomorrow,” BJP state general secretary Karu Nagarajan told DT Next.

It may be noted that Tamil Nadu BJP state president L Murugan late on Monday evening called on Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami seeking permission to install Ganesha idols for the upcoming Vinayaga Chathurthi.