Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut has questioned the credibility of conflicting reports on the water quality of the Ganga during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Reacting to the latest Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, which deemed the water fit for bathing, Raut demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the discrepancies.
"An SIT should be formed to verify which report is accurate. Who conducted the earlier tests, and why do these contradictions exist? Is there political interference within their party?" Raut asked, hinting at a possible agenda behind the varying assessments.
The CPCB report, submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), stated that statistical analysis confirmed the river’s water was suitable for bathing during the massive religious event. However, previous concerns about pollution levels had sparked debate over environmental management at the pilgrimage site.
Raj Thackeray Questions Faith & River Cleanliness
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray stirred a political debate with his remarks on river cleanliness and religious faith. Speaking at an event in Pune's Chinchwad recently, Thackeray recalled an incident following his visit to the Kumbh Mela, where his colleague Bala Nandgaonkar offered him water from a Kamandalu and asked if he would drink it. Thackeray refused, stating, "Not a single river in the country is clean, yet we call it Mother. Does faith have any meaning?"
"I have seen several videos on social media about the state of the River Ganga. I saw some people scratching and washing their bodies in the river," he said.
"I have been hearing claims that 'Ganga will be cleaned soon' since Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister. Now is the time to come out of this myth," Thackeray added.
His remarks have added fuel to the ongoing discourse on pollution and religious traditions, raising concerns about the actual state of India’s rivers despite efforts to maintain their spiritual and environmental significance.
