Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that SOP, that prohibits priests from visiting individual households for performing Ganesh puja, stands withdrawn considering public sentiments.
CM also said that State might not issue any Ganesh Chaturthi specific SOP.
As per the SOP issued earlier today, in addition to other restrictions, priests were prohibited from performing Ganesh Puja by going to individual household.
“They may perform online puja. Also families should be encouraged to perform self puja using various technological means like Youtube, videos,Whatsapp videos etc.” the SOP had said.
CM Sawant taking it social media said that he personally does not agree with some of the guidelines that were issued in the SoP , especially the one stopping priests from going to individual households for puja.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival in Goa and such rituals are an integral part of it,” he said
He further said that the Expert committee may have suggested such curbs and he has asked the administration to withdraw the SoP immediately.
“Chaturthi must be celebrated with full fervour while taking all the necessary precautions, given the pandemic. May Lord Ganesh bless us all,” he added
The SOP has further advised staggered timing for immersion of idols from 5pm to 10 pm.
Instead of cultural programs, Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav organisations had been asked to preferably conduct Aarti, Bhajan, kirtan and other religious programs through online mode, cable network, websites, Facebook etc or any other electronic media, by the SOP.
