Pune, 22 July 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) preparatory meeting for the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival turned disorderly on Monday after Ganesh mandals strongly objected to the participation of environmentalists and NGO representatives. The mandals argued that the meeting was meant exclusively for them and questioned the presence of unrelated participants.
The situation escalated when one attendee began speaking in Hindi, leading to loud protests from several activists who insisted the discussion remain in Marathi. The disruption added to an already tense atmosphere, prompting further arguments between mandal representatives and NGO members.
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, who chaired the meeting, appealed to the mandals to support civic efforts by promoting cleanliness during the festival. He assured the gathering that the administration would work hand-in-hand with Ganesh mandals to ensure a smooth celebration.
Senior PMC officials, including Additional Commissioners Prithviraj B.P. and M.J. Pradeep Chandra, along with department heads, were present. Notable Ganesh mandal leaders such as Sunil Rasne (Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Trust), Vishwas Bhor (Akhil Mandai Mandal), and Ravindra Malvadkar (Rashtriya Sakhali Pir Talim Mandal) also attended, along with prominent political and social figures.
Tensions rose when NGO representatives began voicing concerns over noise pollution and the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. Mandal members interrupted, asserting that this platform was not meant for environmental discussions but for practical planning related to the festival.
After repeated objections, Commissioner Ram acknowledged the concerns and promised stricter coordination in future meetings. However, attempts by NGO representatives to continue speaking led to further unrest. At one point, activists even stopped a woman representative from speaking, leading to visible outrage among some attendees.
The heated exchanges underscored growing friction between traditional mandal groups and civic activists, highlighting the challenges PMC faces in balancing cultural traditions with evolving civic expectations.