'Who Will Take Dip In That Ganga?' Raj Thackeray Raises Questions About River's Cleanliness

Last Updated:March 09, 2025, 20:22 IST

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday raised questions about the cleanliness of the River Ganga and alleged that none of the rivers in the country were clean.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray (File)

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has raised questions about the cleanliness of Ganga river and the quality of the water, alleging that none of the rivers in the country were clean. Thackeray further asserted that he would not take a dip in the holy river.

While addressing a programme organised to mark the 19th foundation day of his party on Saturday, the MNS chief said that his party leader, Bala Nandgaonkar, had brought holy water from the Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh, but he refused to drink it.

“Bala Nandgaonkar had brought some water for me, I said, I am not going to take a bath. Who will drink that water? Covid has just passed and people were roaming around with masks on their faces for two years. Now, they are going there and taking a bath. Who will go and take a holy dip in that Ganga?" he said.

Thackeray further said that he has seen videos of people rubbing their bodies and taking bath in the holy river.  "I have seen several videos on social media about the state of the River Ganga. I saw some people scratching and washing their bodies in the river," he said.

He further claimed that none of the rivers in India were clean.

“Faith should also have some meaning. Come out of superstition and use your heads properly. I have been hearing claims that ’Ganga will be cleaned soon’ since Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister. Now is the time to come out of this myth," Thackeray said.

Thackeray’s remarks came after opposition leaders slammed the Uttar Pradesh government on reports of water being contaminated at the Maha Kumbh. UP CM Yogi Adityanath later cleared the air about water pollution saying that the water quality at the Sangam in Prayagraj was fit to take a dip and perform aachman (drinking holy water).

Earlier, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had raised the issue of severe water quality at various locations in Prayagraj. The CPCB, in its report, said that the water in the Sangam had high faecal coliform levels because of which it failed to meet primary bathing standards.

However, a new report submitted to the Green Tribunal has said that as per statistical analysis, the water quality during the recently-concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj was fit for bathing.

The report dated February 28 and uploaded on the tribunal’s website on March 7 said the board had conducted water monitoring twice a week from January 12 onwards, including on auspicious bathing days, at five locations on Ganga river and two locations on Yamuna river.

“There is a significant variability in the values on various parameters, viz pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and fecal coliform count (FC) for the samples taken from the same location on different dates. The values of the afore-mentioned parameters also vary at different locations for the samples collected on the same day," the report said.

(With inputs from PTI)

News politics 'Who Will Take Dip In That Ganga?' Raj Thackeray Raises Questions About River's Cleanliness