Ganesh Sena out to restore 'sanctity' of city pandals

SURAT: No movie songs, cards, carom and liquor at Ganesh pandals in the city. A newly-formed ?Ganesh Sena' says irreligious acts at the pandals would not be tolerated.
The brigade members have been moving around in different areas of the city, making surprise visits at the pandals. If the brigade members find any irreligious activities at the pandals, they immediately contact the police and religious leaders demanding action against the organizers.
In the last two days, the brigade members have come across more than 20 such cases at Udhna, Pandesara, Khatodra and Bhatar where the devotees were allegedly found playing cards, consuming liquor and feasting.
Ganesh Sena president Vinod Kulkarni said, "Our purpose is to restore the religious essence of the Ganesh festival and to spread awareness among the people to stay away from doing irreligious acts at the pandals. Whenever we find people indulging in irreligious acts, we immediately contact the nearest police station."
Kulkarni added, "The Ganesh Sena was set up after we came across many complaints. Being followers of Ganesh, we decided to form a brigade to stop irreligious activities at the pandals. People must know that we are cheating God by playing Hindi film music, consuming liquor, etc."
The Ganesh Sena members have spread the word among the general public using the social media platform. The residents are given a Whatsapp number to click pictures of irreligious activities at the pandals and send them across for timely action.
"In some areas, pandal organizers happen to be notorious characters. We do not enter into direct altercation with them, but inform the police," Kulkarni added.