Varanasi Brahmins burn 500 quintals of wood to "reduce pollution"
What's the story
In a democracy, protests/rallies are a strong tool of the people, but sometimes, they just miss the mark.
Once, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev drove over 20 cars across India to "Rally for Rivers," while releasing thousands of kilos of carbondioxide instead.
Multiple times, farmers have dumped produce to protest low earnings.
Now, Brahmins in Varanasi are burning 500 quintals of wood to "reduce pollution."
Mahayagya
Worshippers to burn wood through nine days of 'Mahayagya'
A nine-day-long 'mahayagya' began yesterday at Meerut's Bhainsali Ground, organized by the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti.
Some 350 Brahmins have made 108 'hawan kunds' (fire pits) in which they will pour ghee before burning the wood.
"In Hinduism, it is believed that yagya leads to purification of air," explained Girish Bansal, Samiti Vice-President.
However, he admits there's no scientific evidence to back the claim.
Scenes
Brahmins rubbed their bloodshot eyes while trying to battle pollution
The Brahmins say their ritual will be complete only after one crore oblations (offerings) are made in the 'kunds.'
But amusing scenes unfolded: the men rubbed their watery and bloodshot eyes as they tried to "reduce pollution" while pouring ghee in the fire.
Bansal made some questionable claims too: "NASA said India has the best ozone layer because hawans have always been organized here."
Authorities
In absence of laws, the Pollution Control Board is helpless
Vikrant Tongad, a UP-based environmentalist, said scriptures did mention that hawans purify the environment, but "the situation is now completely different because of rampant deforestation, industrialization and population growth."
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has refused to intervene. Regional officer RK Tyagi said it will "definitely cause pollution."
But it's a religious matter and there's no law related to the issue, he said.
Samiti
Meanwhile, Samiti takes "measures" to ensure no pollution
However, Gyanendra Agarwal, Samiti President, is adamant. "Mango wood burnt after pouring pure ghee doesn't cause pollution. We are also adding sesame seeds, rice and barley to aid the purification process."
"We are getting well-trained Brahmins from Haridwar who are well-versed in Sanskrit. We are getting best quality ghee from Haryana. How do you think it will be anyway harmful to the environment?"