Public Ganeshotsav allowed in Karnataka

Karnataka Government now permitted controversial public installation of Ganapathy idols during continuing corona pandemic. Earlier the state government banned public GANESHOTSAV saying that it's not fair to give permission to hold Ganesh festival in public places due to dangers of spreading of corona virus and  allowed Ganeshotsav in individual houses. But it changed its mind due to public pressure. Now it can also be allowed in public places like earlier years with lot of restrictions.

Public Ganeshotsav is not permitted in corona containment zones. Ganesha idols cannot be installed in all roads, circles but restricted to only one place in a ward or village. In Bengaluru city BBMP will decide the selection of ward wise associations from various applicants as per its own yardstick.

Another condition is it allows only maximum of 20 persons at one place. More numbers of gathering is not allowed. There will be no processions while bringing the idol for installation or during its immersion. House hold Ganesha idols shall not be mixed with public Ganeshas. That means no mixing of idols during immersion.

The public Ganeshotsav organisers have to follow the rules and regulations of the vi government. They should not try to create law and order problem in the respective areas. They shall not disturb the peace, harmony and integrity during the festival season.

The height of the public Ganesha idol shall not cross 4 ft. While house hold Ganapathy be of maximum 2ft height. Permission from the local bodies is a must for any organisation that intends to install Ganesha.Another interesting condition is that there shall be no entertainment programmes such as musical orchestra, dance, drama and religious discourses this time. By this condition main cultural attraction of the festival is taken off. Besides this social distancing, usual thermal screening and providing sanitizer is compulsory.

As Bengaluru is already reeling under recent DJ Halli and K G Halli violence, it has to be seen how the administration is going to handle any possible untoward incident.