Hyderabad: Bada Ganesh will be massive as it has been says Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi

Hyderabad: Stating that the devotees will not be afraid of the pressure tactics of police, the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi on Thursday said that this year also there will be a giant idol of Lord Ganesha at Khairatabad.

Controversy surrounded the Khairatabad Ganesh Pandal with the Samithi members on Monday decided to take up 'Karre Puja' on May 18. However, on the very next day, the Samithi members said that they would be decreasing the height and the Karre Puja was cancelled in wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

Reacting sharply on the controversy, the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi on Thursday said that the police authorities were forcing the Khairatabad Samithi members to make such statements.

Samithi general secretary Bhagwanth Rao said that there was no relation to corona and spiritual activities and added that even temples are not closed and only devotees are not allowed.

"Centre has given relaxations for construction sector. The Ganesh idol is a temporary construction how the authorities can stop this. The police officials were exerting too much pressure on the organisers," said Bhagwanth Rao.

The Samithi president further added that as per the Constitution of India, every devotee has right to perform rituals and can install statues. "The Ganesh Chaturthi is on August 22 and we don't know what the situation will be in future.

We will take a decision on the height based on the conditions. If there is a corona situation then we will celebrate festival following corona guidelines maintaining social distancing," said Bhagwanth Rao.

The Samithi leader said that the police personnel don't have objection for gatherings at wine shops but have objections on the beliefs.

"There are gross violations in the Old City with regard to lockdown. An MIM MLA threatens officials to open the areas of red zone and it is opened.

Are the police personnel are government employees or workers of the MIM," said Rao.

The Samithi would take a decision on the height and other programmes at appropriate time, said Rao.