General
No immersion of PoP idols in Hussain Sagar this year
Authorities in Hyderabad this year will allow immersion of Ganesh idols made by Plaster of Paris (PoP) only in baby/artificial ponds and not Hussain Sagar Lake this year.
The Supreme Court had last year allowed immersion of PoP idols for the last time and has asked Telangana authorities to come up with a plan for immersions at an alternate place.
The authorities have built 50 ponds in addition to the 25 already existing for immersion of idols.
Telangana High Court on September 9, 2021 directed the state government not to allow immersion of Ganesh idols made of PoP in Hussain Sagar Lake and other lakes in and around Hyderabad.
On a petition filed by the state government, the High Court refused to modify its order. The state government subsequently filed an appeal in the Supreme Court. The apex court allowed immersion of PoP idols for one last time.
The court directed the government to permit immersion of PoP Ganesh idols in baby ponds constructed by the GHMC or separate areas/ponds which do not result in the spread of pollution into the main water body.
The state government has also taken steps to promote environment-friendly Ganesh idols. It will distribute a total of six lakh idols made of clay this year.
Minister for animal husbandry T. Srinivas Yadav said Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) alone will distribute four lakh idols made of clay. Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) will distribute one lakh idols each.
Khairatabad Ganesh committee, which installs tallest idol every year, has agreed to use clay for its idol this year.
As part of the arrangements for the ensuing Ganesh Navaratri festivities beginning on August 31, Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand on Wednesday held a coordination meeting with all SHOs and senior officers of city police.
Anand gave a slew of instructions regarding setting up of idols, intimation forms and immersion of PoP s idols and clay idols, the procession routes and precautions.
With some of the SHOs and DCPs being fresh to the city police and doing this ‘bandobast’ for the first time, the CP and his staff officers spent a lot of time explaining the various aspects of the preparatory works for the biggest event in the calendar of Hyderabad City Police.
“Since January, all the festivals of various communities were conducted peacefully despite the huge turnout of crowds post-Covid, and so were so many other programmes and events. Those were all quarter finals and semi finals, Ganesh bandobast is the finals and I am sure u will all rise to the occasion and do equally well,” he told the officials.
The police chief said that the organisers must intimate the concerned SHOs about the setting up of the idol and obtain permission. Instructions were given to immerse PoP idols at baby/artificial ponds. The officials were given clarity about court orders.
There will be coordination meetings with the organisers of these mandapams at every level to decide about the installation so as not to inconvenience the general public. Power, water, barricading etc., will be discussed.
The peace committee members should be actively involved and precautions should be taken for watching social media and mischievous posts, the commissioner said.
The Ganesh festivities will conclude this year with immersion on September 9. Every year, thousands of idols are immersed in Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city and dozens of other water bodies in and around the city.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Abu Asim Azmi demands action against culprits in Kalyan prayer controversy

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi condemned the hooliganism of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal at Kalyan Ideal Pharmacy College and said that in this country, there is a market of division and hatred in the name of Hindus and Muslims. Offering prayers in the country is not a crime. It is obligatory for Muslims to offer prayers at the prescribed time. Therefore, if someone offers prayers, worships and practices, then why object to it? He said that arrangements for prayer rooms are necessary in institutions where students want to worship. The way in which students were forced to apologize is completely wrong and hooliganism. I demand that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the administrative body take strict action against such sectarians so that no one can enter an educational institution and force students to apologize. He said that Shivaji Maharaj, in front of whose statue students were forced to apologize, was a secular king. There were Muslims in his army. The way in which the miscreants have committed hooliganism is worrying. Action must be taken against it. He said that praying is not a crime in the country. The administration of Ideal Pharmacy College in Kalyan’s Ambernath was responsible for protecting Muslim students, but the administration did not do so. It was negligent in its responsibility.
The students who offered prayers were forced to apologize. Azmi said, “I request Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order the provision of rooms for prayers in educational and other institutions and take strict action against this politics of hatred. Only then will brotherhood flourish in Maharashtra and the country.” He said, “Why is there a controversy over prayers everywhere and then hatred is created by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color? Now the water has risen above the head. The government should pay attention to this.”
Maharashtra
Tension at Vashi Naka in Mumbai over the replacement of the Kali Mata idol with Mount Mary; case filed, priest arrested after protests by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists

Mumbai: The idol of Kali Mata in the crematorium of Chembur Vashi village was changed into the shape of Mount Mary, after which tension spread in the area, but the police have claimed to have arrested a priest in this matter, who had done the above act, which had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. The police brought the situation under control and also solved the case. After this incident, an attempt was made to spoil the atmosphere, but later the priest was found to be involved in it, after which peace has now prevailed here. A shocking incident has come to light in Mumbai, in which the idol of Kali Mata installed in the crematorium of Chembur Vashi village was redesigned to resemble Mount Mary. This incident has caused a wave of shock and anger among the residents of the area.
On receiving the information, the RCF police reached the spot, assessed the situation and arrested the priest involved. The police have also registered an FIR in connection with the incident.
During initial interrogation, the accused priest told the police that he had received a “dream instruction” to redesign the idol of Kali Mata to resemble Mount Mary. Following this alleged “dream instruction”, he tried to change the shape of the idol.
Given the seriousness of the matter, police officers are conducting further investigations. The motives behind the change, and whether there was any other reason or conflict behind the change, are also under investigation.
Local people and some Bajrang Dal workers expressed satisfaction with the police action and said that any kind of change without permission at religious places is unacceptable. DCP Sameer Shaikh said that the accused who changed the shape of the idol has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. The police are also investigating why the accused committed such a questionable and controversial act, who is behind it, and on whose instructions he changed the shape of the idol. Investigations are ongoing on all these points. However, due to the situation, the police have deployed additional arrangements here and the situation is also being monitored. At present, there is peace but tension remains.
Maharashtra
Veteran Bollywood Actor Dharmendra Passes Away at 89

Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood legend Dharmendra, fondly known as the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passed away today at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 89. His departure marks the end of an era in Hindi film history, leaving behind millions of grieving fans and admirers.
Dharmendra had been unwell for the past several days. He faced respiratory complications and other age-related health issues, for which he was hospitalized briefly before being shifted back home. Earlier today, a sense of concern arose as activity increased outside his residence, and soon after, the heartbreaking news of his demise was confirmed.
With a career spanning more than six decades, Dharmendra made his debut in the early 1960s and went on to become one of the most admired and celebrated actors of Indian cinema. From romance to comedy, drama to action, he mastered every genre and delivered countless memorable performances. His screen presence, charm, and natural acting style earned him a permanent place in the hearts of audiences.
The film industry is in deep mourning. Actors, filmmakers, and fans across the country are paying tribute, remembering him as a powerhouse performer and a humble human being. Many are calling his passing “the end of an era,” acknowledging that his contribution to cinema is both historic and irreplaceable.
Beyond films, Dharmendra was a devoted family man—deeply connected with his children, grandchildren, and loved ones. His simplicity, warmth, and affectionate nature made him beloved not just onscreen but also in his personal life.
His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Yet, his legacy will continue to shine through his timeless films, unforgettable characters, and the memories he gifted to generations of viewers.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.
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