Dhubri: Social worker Dipankar Majumdar has urged residents to ensure respectful immersion of religious idols abandoned across Dhubri town.Majumdar expressed concern over Hindu deity idols found along roadsides, beneath trees, near dustbins, and on boundary walls. He said such practices hurt religious sentiments and damage the town’s civic environment.“Idols of Hindu deities are not garbage to be thrown away on roadsides, near dustbins or beneath trees. Every idol deserves respect and dignity, even after religious worship is complete. People must understand that proper disposal of idols in accordance with religious customs is both a religious responsibility and a social obligation,” Majumdar told TOI.For several years, Majumdar and his group have been collecting abandoned idols from different parts of Dhubri district and arranging their immersion according to religious customs. Bappi Biswas, Rakesh Ghosh, Govinda Biswas and others have supported the initiative.“Respecting our deities, religious beliefs and age-old traditions is our duty. At the same time, we cannot remain indifferent to our surroundings. If we find an abandoned idol anywhere, we should not simply walk past it. We must come forward and ensure that it is treated with proper religious dignity and respect,” he said.Majumdar urged religious institutions, puja committees, households and citizens to spread awareness about the proper handling and immersion of idols. He said religious faith and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.
