From Tilak’s nationalist vision to today’s spectacle, what have we truly achieved?

Ganesh Pandals: Unity Lost, Division Gained?

"गणपती बाप्पा मोरया, पुढच्या वर्षी लवकर या.&rdquo;
This familiar chant echoes across Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad today as thousands of idols of Lord Ganesh are immersed in rivers and lakes. In Mumbai alone, nearly&nbsp;one lakh idols are immersed, in Surat about 76,000, and in Ahmedabad close to 25,000. But beyond the festivities lies a deeper question: why has a tradition born in 1893 as a nationalist movement against colonial rule now devolved into mere ritual, showmanship, and at times, social division?
<h3 data-start="969" data-end="999">Tilak&rsquo;s Vision, 1893</h3>
Before 1893, Ganesh worship was largely a private family affair, particularly among Brahmin households in Maharashtra. It was Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who transformed it into a public festival. His aim was clear: use Ganesh Utsav as a platform for national awakening, where people across castes could unite, where intellectual discourses challenged British misrule, and where tales of sacrifice and patriotism were proudly sung.
Tilak&rsquo;s move faced criticism from some intellectuals who argued against mixing religion with politics. Yet, in his eyes, Ganesh Utsav was a tool to spread nationalism under colonial repression&mdash;and it worked. By 1898, nearly 25 public Ganesh installations were thriving, becoming hubs of collective energy.
<h3 data-start="1773" data-end="1798">132 Years Later</h3>
Today, 132 years on, one must ask: Where is that spirit of nationalism? Where is that unity? Where are Tilak&rsquo;s ideals?
Public Ganesh installations, which once fostered communal harmony and resistance, have been reduced to symbols of competition. In one street, several pandals rise, each trying to outdo the other. Loud Bollywood songs replace nationalist debates. Some pandals even face allegations of being hubs for alcohol and illicit gatherings.
What was once a tool for unity has now become an exercise in division and marketing. Celebrity visits are arranged for publicity. Donations are splurged on extravagant decorations, and rivalry often overshadows devotion.
<h3 data-start="2505" data-end="2547">From Nationalism to Sectarianism</h3>
Ganesh pandals today appear less like places of devotion and more like religious exhibitions. They have become convenient platforms for political leaders to strengthen their influence. Local politicians often encourage multiple pandals in one neighbourhood, ensuring their presence and control.
The transition from nationalism to sectarianism is stark. Where Tilak once dreamed of using Ganesh Utsav to unite society against colonialism, today&rsquo;s organisers and leaders seem more concerned with political mileage and financial gain.
<h3 data-start="3102" data-end="3135">The Unanswered Question</h3>
So, who truly benefits today&mdash;citizens, society, or the political class? Tilak used Ganesh Utsav to build the idea of India. Today, its transformation risks weakening the very fabric of nationalism he sought to strengthen.

6 સપ્ટેમ્બર, 2025 | 10:35 IST

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