Protest to immerse Dashama idols in artificial lakes

Vadodara celebrates the Dashama festival with great enthusiasm every year. This year also devotees installed the idol of the goddess at home and will immerse it on Wednesday. But, due to the coronavirus pandemic, VMC has banned immersion of Dashama idols inside lakes, ponds, and canals.

However, various organizations protested against the notification and demanded a rollback of the order. Today, there were protests outside the VMC office and shouted slogans against the officials. They demanded artificial lakes to be created by the corporation so that the devotees can immerse the idols of Dashama as per COVID19 guidelines. President of Yuvajan Jagruti Manch Central Gujarat Mahila Morcha, Akshita Solanki said that the notification was inappropriate and the corporation is only interested in levying fines. But if a proper decision is not taken then, the idols of Dashama will be placed near the bungalow of Municipal Commissioner on the day of the immersion.

Jay Thakor, leader of Yuva Sanghatan said that the Municipal Commissioner has been informed about the need to immerse the Dashama idols and they are ready to go to Narmada river and Somnath area for immersion.

Municipal Commissioner Nalin Upadhyay said that amid the coronavirus scare, the administration is forced to make this decision to prevent the transmission of the virus. He appealed people to immerse the idols at their respective homes and avoid going out.