File a Case Against Phaltan (Satara) Town Council’s Chief Officer : Demand by devout Hindu activists

• Immersed Ganesh idols seen at the base of the canal due to lack of water – Accused of desecration of Shri Ganesh

• Devout Hindu organisations were enraged due to the indifference of the Chief Officer

Mr Hemant Sonawane and other devout Hindu activists show an idol to Dy Chief Officer Tejas Patil of the Town Council

Phaltan (Satara), 18th September –  Shri Ganesh idols were immersed in Neera Ujwa Canal near Pandharpur bridge at Nana Patil Chowk as per the tradition. The water supply to the canal was, however, stopped after two days of immersion; therefore, the idols could be seen lying at the base of the canal. Phaltan Town Council (PTC) didn’t find any solution to reimmerse those idols. This is a denigration of Shri Ganesh idols, which are lying in the canal, and it has hurt the religious sentiments of local Ganesh devotees. A case should, therefore, be filed against the Chief Officer, PTC, for denigration of the idols. A letter with the above demand has been given to the city Police Station by the local devout Hindu organisations. The executive engineer had informed the Chief Officer about the stoppage of water before the Ganesh festival. Advocate Sandip Kambale, Advocate Ganesh Jadhav, Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’s Taluka convener Mr Akshay Tawar,e Mr Mangesh Khandare, Mr Akshay Shinde, Mr Ganesh Ghanwat, Gou-rakshak Shrikant Khatavkar, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS)’s Hemant Sonawane, Ashish Kapase, etc., and other activists were present on the occasion.

1. Big Shri Ganesh idols and small idols installed by individual Ganesh devotees are immersed in Neera Ujwa Canal near Pandharpur bridge at Nana Patil Chowk in Phaltan as per the custom.

2. The canal was closed on 08.09.2025, two days after the immersions on 06.09.2025; therefore, due to a lack of water, Shri Ganesh idols could be seen at the base of the canal.

3. Local devout Hindu organisations went to the executive engineer of Neera Ujwa Kalwa Department to ask for an explanation.

4. The executive engineer Bodkhe had sent a letter to the Chief Officer, PTC, City Police station and Gramin Police station on 25.08.2025, cautioning them that the stoppage of water on 08.09.2025 could cause denigration of Shri Ganesh idols after immersion in Neera Ujwa Canal, as the idols are seen at the base of the canal later. PTC should, therefore, collect and plan the re-immersion of all such Shri Ganesh idols.

5. The local devout Hindu activists met Dy Chief Officer Tejas Patil at PTC and explained the situation to him. Dy Chief Officer Patil immediately went to the place of the incident with cleaning inspector Mukesh Ahivale.

6. Later, the local devout Hindu activists went to the city Police station and demanded to file a case be filed against the Chief Officer of PTC by complaining in this context.