Social activist Anna Hazare and his campaign against corruption have caught the imagination of organisers of the 10-day Ganesh Festival in Maharashtra beginning September 1.
Several Ganesh mandals in the state have come up with innovative themes to support the anti-corruption movement and hopes to draw large crowds against the backdrop of Hazare's fast.
While some mandals have created a special script to explain how corruption needs to be uprooted in the larger interest of the common man, others have displayed Anna's message for a new revolution to fight corruption. Some mandals in Mumbai slums have exhibited major scams including the 2G, Commonwealth Games and cash for vote. Curiously, some of the mandals from Pune have gone a step ahead to project Anna as the saviour.
In Mumbai alone there are more than 30,000 small, big and medium mandals while seven to eight lakh private Ganesh idols are worshipped in the city. At the state level, according to police, there are more than 75,000 Ganesh mandals.
“Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption theme has been adopted by a large number of mandals. Representatives of these mandals have been working day and night to give final touches. Some of them are active participants in Hazare's anti corruption agitation," an additional commissioner of Mumbai police told Business Standard.
He said the police are preparing to maintain law and order and adequate measures will be taken across the state. “The non-violent agitation by Hazare supporters is positive and the visitors to these mandals will extend necessary cooperation for peaceful celebrations,” he noted.
Mahadev Narkar, president of Shri Sairaj Ganesh Mandal, Vile Parle in north west Mumbai said people have started coming out in the open against corruption. “Hazare's agitation has given people a necessary boost to further step up their fight against corruption. Our mandal has prepared a comprehensive theme revolving around the corruption issue. We have also scripted a song which narrates the dangers of corruption and how it can be tackled with the active involvement of the common man.”
Pune-based Shyam Mankar said their mandal had taken a decision to carve out special scenes against corruption way back in December, last year. “However, Anna's agitation has come quite handy to make it more comprehensive. I am confident we will contribute something worthwhile in the fight against corruption.”
Anna's home village Ralegan Siddhi is not an exception. Although the number of mandals is less, most have given prominence to their beloved leader.
