24 August,2026 07:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
Police maintain a presence at the Bhuleshwaracha Raja pandal on Sunday, hours after the idol fell during its arrival ceremony, killing two. Pic/Ashish Raje
In an interview with mid-day, Naresh Dahibavkar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), the apex umbrella body representing over 12,000 public Ganesh mandals, spoke about the Bhuleshwarcha Raja mishap, which left two dead, saying that until a full enquiry is conducted by the authorities, one must refrain from jumping to conclusions.
[popcorn number="August 22" desc="Day mishap occurred" class="Default"]
Excerpts from the interview.
Following the Bhuleshwarcha Raja accident, is there a need to curb the height of idols?
This is something we must examine and debate, and only then can a decision be taken. I have worked in this capacity for over 40 years. This is the first time such an incident has happened. Let us not blame the sculptor, the height of the idol, or assume any negligence on anyone's part until a full enquiry is conducted by the authorities into the incident, and we are able to determine exactly what happened.
Are the preparations done by the authorities and Ganesh mandals adequate?
The BMC [Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation] must conduct an inquiry. No one should assume anything, or place any blame on any individual or authority until we know exactly what happened. The BMC's coordination meetings with the BSGSS commenced later than usual this year. I am not alleging anything, but this created delays in the timeline of preparations. The authorities did not have enough time to repair all potholes, demolish all speed breakers, etc, on the routes of mandals that have big or heavy idols. But BMC should now conduct an enquiry and find out why this happened.
Who was the BSGSS coordinating with to ensure the smooth arrival of idols?
We met the mayor, traffic commissioner, joint commissioners, D ward officer, and even met our guardian minister. We have raised the requirements. So now it is their job to enquire. Don't blame the idol maker.
