'Rs 25,000 fine for throwing mangoes into lake, unprecedented': MG Sreekumar clarifies

KOCHI: Singer MG Sreekumar has spoken about the incident of throwing a garbage bag into a lake. He explained to the media that mangoes from his yard were thrown into the water by a maid, an act he acknowledged as wrong.

He said, “I had recordings in Thiruvananthapuram on the 28th and 29th. Later, the chief minister's principal secretary asked they wanted to inspect my house. I opened it for them. I don't stay in that house in Bolgatty for more than ten days. There is not much garbage there.

The property has a pond where many mangoes fall from the trees into the water and around the house. Someone left a note saying there was a Rs 25,000 fine for dumping garbage. Without arguing, I paid the fine. The maid picked up a squirrel-bitten mango and a mango seed from there, wrapped them in white paper, and threw them in the water. While this was unintentional, the responsibility lies with me since it’s my house. Thus, I accepted the fine imposed by the panchayat.

Sreekumar emphasised that the Chief Minister’s campaign for a garbage-free Kerala has always resonated with him. He shared, “I have travelled to many foreign countries, and I have never thrown waste improperly. Still, a Rs 25,000 fine for mangoes is unprecedented."

He clarified that there isn’t any plastic waste to be removed from his house and has yet to meet with the Haritha Karma Sena. Sreekumar admitted his mistake and mentioned that his sister also recognised it as wrong. He has since informed her that the waste was only mango, not actual garbage, and is ready to prove this if needed. He even noted that the person who took the video would receive half the fine amount.

Reflecting on the larger issue, Sreekumar remarked, “While I admit my fault, when a mango costs Rs 25,000, we must also question the authorities about the tonnes of waste flowing in Kochi from hospitals and institutions. I paid the fine and am happy to support our goal for a clean Kerala."

Earlier, a video surfaced of a tourist capturing a garbage bag being thrown from Sreekumar’s house in Mulavukad panchayat. Following this, the panchayat imposed the fine, which the singer paid promptly.