Mumbai: In a landmark judgment just ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, the Bombay High Court has lifted the ban on the manufacture and sale of Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesh idols. This crucial decision has brought immense relief to idol artisans and Ganeshotsav mandals across the state.
The court, while easing the restrictions, has made it mandatory that POP idols must be immersed only in artificial ponds and not in natural water bodies. Both sides involved in the legal proceedings agreed to this eco-friendly condition, which aims to balance tradition with environmental responsibility.
Further, the High Court has instructed the Maharashtra state government to form a committee within three weeks. This committee is tasked with submitting a detailed report outlining effective and sustainable measures for the immersion of POP idols.
With this verdict, the road is now clear for both household and public Ganesh festival organisers to install POP idols, as long as immersion guidelines are strictly followed. This move is expected to boost the livelihood of thousands of artisans who were previously affected by the ban.
The ongoing debate between traditional clay (shadu mati) idols and POP continues. However, the state government had previously told the court that under specific conditions, the use of POP can be permitted. It was also informed that a detailed report with the committee’s recommendations had already been submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for review. The report was officially sent to the CPCB on May 5.
This development marks a significant shift in Ganesh idol regulations, setting the stage for a more inclusive yet environmentally conscious celebration.
