Pune News: Contaminated Turmeric Powder Posing Health Risks To Devotees and Threat To Jejuri Fort, Former Trustee Demands Government Action
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Pune: The yellow turmeric powder (Bhandara) traditionally used in Jejuri, the revered town of Lord Khandoba, is now posing serious health risks to devotees and locals due to contamination. Additionally, the historic Jejuri Fort is also under threat from the adulterated Bhandara. Former chief trustee of the Martand Dev Sansthan, Shivraj Zagade, has raised concerns and submitted a memorandum to Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal, urging strict action to curb the adulteration.
Adulteration Concerns
Zagade highlighted that turmeric and vermillion hold great religious significance in Indian culture. The practice of Bhandara sprinkling has been an age-old tradition in Jejuri, earning it the title “Golden Jejuri” due to the yellow hue of the fort and town. However, in recent years, the sacred turmeric has been found to be adulterated, raising serious concerns about its impact on devotees’ health and the structural integrity of the fort.
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कुलदैवत खंडेरायाच्या जेजुरी नगरीत भेसळयुक्त भंडारा विक्रीवर प्रतिबंध घालणे बाबत श्री.शिवराज मारुती झगडे (प्रख्यात पत्रकार व माजी. प्रमुख म्हणून विश्वस्त मार्तंड देवसंस्थान) यांची भेट घेऊन त्यांच्या कार्यकाळातील अनुभव आणि सध्याच्या पत्रकारिता… pic.twitter.com/ZirS9CIdew
Locals, devotees, and religious groups have repeatedly urged authorities to take action against the sale of contaminated Bhandara. Zagade stated that external traders are selling turmeric powder mixed with non-edible substances like synthetic yellow powders in unlabeled or unauthorized packets. This has led to health issues among devotees and local residents.
On Friday, a delegation met Minister Narhari Zirwal, demanding the Food and Drug Administration impose a strict ban on adulterated Bhandara and take stringent action against those responsible.
