Chhath Debate: MNS Seeks Ban on Puja Material Immersion at Two Mumbai Locations

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has approached the Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ahead of Chhath Puja, seeking restrictions on the immersion of puja materials at Girgaon Chowpatty and Banganga Tank in Mumbai. The party has written letters to the authorities, requesting that flowers and other religious offerings not be immersed in the water at these locations, citing concerns over water pollution. MNS representative Dinesh said the party was not opposed to Chhath Puja but objected to the immersion of Pooja materials in these particular water bodies. He also referred to court restrictions concerning the immersion of materials at Girgaon Chowpatty and Banganga Tank. According to him, it is the administration's responsibility to ensure that no items are immersed at these sites. The MNS has therefore asked both the civic body and the police to take appropriate steps during the festival. The issue has brought attention to the balance between religious celebrations and environmental protection in Mumbai, with the party maintaining that its objection is specifically to immersion activities and not to the celebration of Chhath Puja itself.