Immersion of idols in water bodies is
unscientific and non-religious
The dictum of scriptures underlining the link between religious festivals and environmental
pollution has been ignored for several decades. The
fundamental concept of the Vedic era is the concept of the panchbhootas, the five elements of nature- earth, water, air, fire and space. The panchbhootas
are to be revered, not to be polluted. Upanishads and Puranas and other sacred texts underline it.
Atharvaveda has warned
not to dirty and add toxic substances into water bodies as it may lead to
spread of diseases “he who dirties or spoils ponds, lakes, rivers, etc., or
cause smell near residential areas is liable to chastisement."
Yajurveda says, “Do
not poison water and do not harm or cut the trees and “Do not disturb the sky
and do not poison the atmosphere”.
Taittariya Upanishad prescribed
norms for human beings to keep the environment clean. It says, “One should not cause urine
and stool in water, should not spit in water; and should not take bath without clothes”
It is noteworthy that Vishnu took form of a
fish in his Matsya avatar to clean the polluted sea and rivers. He took
form of a swine in Varaha avatar to clean the land by eating up all the
filth. It is clear that the traditions and scriptures not been understood and properly
interpreted. The ongoing pollution from such festivals and related rituals is a
result of failure of religious leaders. 
Religious leaders have made themselves busy
in commercial activities instead of protection of environment, the most sacred.
The situation is that the religious leaders fail to understand the connection
between religious ritual and festivals and environmental damage. They seem to
act like philistines. They feign ignorance about the ancestral wisdom about the
sacredness of rivers, water bodies and elements of nature. The common people
who are involved in religious activities in a mechanical way are in the dark
about the forbidden aspects of engagement with nature and water bodies. The
Hindu religious leaders appear responsible for this unethical state of affairs
and environmental damages.
This is true about Muslims religious
leaders as well. For instance, on the day of Moharram, tazia, the replica
of tomb of Husain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammed is immersed in the lakes.
The religious leaders fail to communicate
the need to preserve environment and water bodies. The unquestioning obedience
to religious tradition has made people unscientific in approach especially in
matters related to religion.
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