The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued an interim order banning the making, sale, and immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. The decision comes just two days before the Maghi Ganpati festival, celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha on February 1 and 2.
Advocate Ronita Bhattacharya, representing petitioners opposing PoP idols, sought an urgent hearing, highlighting the environmental harm caused by these idols. The petitioners had filed the case last year, urging stricter enforcement of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines.
Idol makers and artisans opposed the ban, arguing that PoP idols had already been made and sold for the festival. They claimed the CPCB guidelines were not binding and lacked proper environmental assessments.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharti Dangre, questioned why PoP idols were still being produced despite environmental concerns. “Somewhere this has to be stopped,” the court stated, while acknowledging the livelihood challenges faced by artisans.
The court also urged petitioners to raise awareness about eco-friendly alternatives instead of solely relying on legal action. Bhattacharya noted that some petitioners were activists and idol makers who had already shifted to environmentally friendly options.
The interim order directs municipal corporations and district collectors to strictly enforce CPCB guidelines on PoP idol production and immersion. The court directed that the guidelines must be followed “in letter and spirit.”
The decision has sparked a debate between environmental concerns and the livelihoods of idol makers, with the court balancing both issues while prioritising ecological protection.