Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Nitesh Rane on Sunday hit out at the Maharashtra government over its guidelines for the upcoming Ganpati festival amid the COVID pandemic.

Lashing out at the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state, the BJP leader said the situation in Mumbai is similar to that of West Bengal, where Durga Puja celebrations were restricted.

“It’s difficult for Ganesh Utsav Mandals to celebrate the festival in accordance with new rules. We raised our concerns with the Governor,” ANI quoted Rane as saying.

While asserting that the Hindu religion is in danger, the leader of the saffron party alleged that the Thackeray govt will gradually end the festival celebrations in Maharashtra.

“Some time ago, other religious festivals were celebrated, they didn’t face any inconvenience. Then why only Hindus? Hindu religion is in danger. We told the Governor to protect our festival, or else, Thackeray govt will gradually end the festival…(celebrations),” he said.

Earlier in June, the Maharashtra government had issued guidelines for the Ganpati festival and asked those organising Ganesh festivities to keep the height of public idols at four feet and the domestic ones at two feet.

The complete guidelines for Ganpati Utsav announced by the Maharashtra government are as follow:

1. People should ideally instal metal or marble idols, while those made of shadu clay must be immersed at home or in artificial tanks.
2. Due to Covid-19, only limited people will be allowed at pandals.
3. For public mandalas, prior permission will have to be taken from municipal corporations/local administration.
4. Mandals have been advised to hold blood donation and social awareness camps and avoid bhajan-kirtan and other mass programmes at the festivity site.
5. The restrictions imposed to contain the outbreak will remain in force and no relaxation will be given during Ganesh Utsav
6. There should be no extravagant decoration.
7. Ganpati idols should not be more than four feet for public idols and two feet for household idols.
8. Nobody should be forced to give donations. Display of advertisement should be health-related and give out a social message.
9. No crowd for aarti, bhajan and no noise pollution.
10. Arrangements should be made for a live telecast.
11. Thermal screening and sanitisation should be done at the mandals.
12. No procession while bringing and visarjan of Ganpati idols.