BJP alleges restrictions on Ganesh mandaps in Andhra

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh BJP President Somu Veerraju has slammed the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government for what he called creating obstacles in Ganesh Utsav celebrations but a state minister denied the allegations.

Veerraju alleged that the state government is imposing restrictions on installation of Ganesh mandaps in different parts of the state.

He said the government was forcing the organisers to obtain permissions from different departments, thus creating hurdles in the celebrations.

The BJP leader said the Director General of Police himself stated that the organisers of Ganesh mandaps should get permissions from the fire services, electricity, and police departments. He said BJP would fight against such discriminatory policies of the Jagan government.

Veerraju said he would visit Ganesh mandaps set up without permissions and dared the government to arrest him.

He alleged that during Covid-19 pandemic, the YSRCP government imposed restrictions only on the festivals of Hindus citing Covid-19 protocol.

The BJP leader said he has written a letter to Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and urged him to respond to the issues raised by him.

Meanwhile, Endowments Minister Kottu Satyanarayana said a false propaganda was being carried out about Ganesh mandaps. He said there was no truth in the allegation that the government is imposing restrictions on the Ganesh festival.

The minister pointed out that for any meeting, a Rs 100 challan has to be paid for permission and similarly, a fire safety fee of Rs 500 also has to be paid.

Satyanarayana said some people were spreading lies through social media. He said these people were using god to play their politics.

Ganesh Chaturthi is scheduled to be celebrated on August 31. The nine-day festivities will conclude with immersion of idols on September 9.