Ganesha idols in Karnataka likely to see 20% hike in prices; Here's why
Bengaluru: A shortfall in the supply of high quality clay in the city is expected to cause a 15-20 per cent hike in the price of idols for this year’s Ganesha festival, proving a problem for devotees.
The artists have said that clay, which is used to prepare the idols, is supplied from lakes and riverbeds in and around Bengaluru and Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) districts has become highly expensive. They have also attributed this to the rivers and lakes filling up to at least 50 per cent of their capacity as a result of the heavy rainfall so far, Times of India has reported.
Explaining that they used to get quality clay during an ebb in the water levels of rivers and lakes, an idol maker from Tumakuru, Suresh, said that they are unable to do so this year as the water bodies still contain a considerable amount of water. He added that they are now getting clay supplies from other places like Hoskote, Bagaluru, Malur and Kannur.
Further, the idol makers have been looking for sources outside Karnataka to get the raw material. Shivanand, another idol maker, said that they are forced to do so since the local clay is of poor quality, which might also result in the idols developing cracks once the clay dries.
Shivanand said that they have ordered for clay from the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal., which is of high quality, and the artists are also assured that the quality of the idols is good.
Referring to the use of the clay from UP and West Bengal, he said that the idols are first made with local clay and paddy husk and then coated with the clay from the Gangetic plains.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
VHP slams Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge for 'money laundering' comment on RSS
Nagpur (PTI): The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Monday slammed Karnataka Congress minister Priyank Kharge for linking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to money laundering and asserted such statements were part of a strategy to insult patriotic organisations and defame patriots.
Kharge, while speaking at an event in Bengaluru on Sunday, cited the RSS' "network of more than 2,500 organisations, they are from America, England" to allege "these people are into money laundering".
Addressing a press conference here, VHP national organisational secretary Milind Parande said such statements will reduce the acceptance in society of those making them.
"They are trying to increase their credibility and trying to indulge in appeasement (with such remarks), both of which will not succeed. There are many forces and persons in India who have a problem with the awakening of Hindutva. They are coming up with such nonsense. Using such words and insulting patriotic organisations shows their intellectual bankruptcy," he said.
ALSO READ: Delhi court notices against Videocon Group founder Dhoot, 12 others in bank fraud case: ED
"It will reduce their acceptance in society. What he (Kharge) said is absolutely false and even they know it. But they do it as a strategy to defame patriots. The people of Karnataka must think whether such people should be brought back to power. Hence, the VHP always asserts those who believe in the interests of Hindus must be in power at the Centre and in the states," Parande added.
Asked about the BNP winning polls in Bangladesh and whether it will improve the conditions of the Hindus there, Parande said it is expected that the community is protected irrespective of who is in power. So far, people there have been incapable of protecting Hindus, he said in reference to attacks on the community since the Sheikh Hasina government fell following an uprising in August 2024.
Asserting that most of the violence has been sponsored by political parties, Parande said, "The Hindu community is in a very dangerous situation in Bangladesh."
He also refused to comment on the face-off between the Uttar Pradesh government and Swami Avimukteshwaranand during Magh Mela festivities in Prayagraj. A controversy erupted on Mauni Amavasya morning at the Sangam Nose when police, citing heavy crowd pressure, allegedly stopped the seer from proceeding to the Sangam in a palanquin along with a large number of supporters.
The VHP as a practice does not give a statement on disputes between saints as it would not be appropriate, Parande said.
Without taking the name of Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, the VHP leader said it was surprising anyone from the state can make such a remark about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Congress leader has courted controversy by equating 18th Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan with the founder of the Maratha Empire.
On some persons sprinkling cow urine to purify a temple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar following the visit of Muslim Shiv Sena MLA Abdul Sattar in Sillod on Mahashivratri on Sunday, Parande said places of worship must be visited by those who have faith.
Without genuine sentiment, it becomes a mere political stunt, he said.
"Religion should never be exploited for political gain, as that insults faith," Parande said while not commenting on the 'purification' episode linked to the incident.
