Ganeshotsav Declared as Maharashtra's Official State Festival

On July 10, the Maharashtra government officially declared public Ganeshotsav as the state festival. The announcement was made in the Assembly by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, who emphasized the historical and cultural importance of the festival.

"Lokmanya Tilak initiated the public celebration of Ganeshotsav in 1893 in Maharashtra. Its core essence lies in social unity, nationalism, the spirit of freedom, self-respect, and pride in one’s language. This glorious tradition continues to this day," said Shelar.

He stated that Ganeshotsav is not just a festival, but a symbol of Maharashtra’s cultural identity and pride. The government is committed to preserving, promoting, and celebrating this cultural heritage across the state and nation.

Addressing concerns about legal challenges, Shelar said, "Certain individuals tried to disrupt this long-standing public tradition through court petitions, but under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, the MahaYuti government acted swiftly and decisively to remove all such obstacles."

He also criticized the previous administration’s ban on traditional Plaster of Paris (POP) idols citing CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) guidelines, stating that the ban was imposed without offering practical alternatives. "In contrast, our department has adopted a more balanced approach," Shelar added.