The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued a directive to the Maharashtra government to respond to a plea demanding the strict enforcement of a ban on the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) in religious idols. This ban, primarily targeting idols intended for immersion in natural water bodies, aims to combat the severe water pollution that results from such practices.
The move comes as the state gears up for the widely celebrated Ganesh festival. Concerns have been raised by a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a group of concerned citizens and clay idol makers, pointing out the lax implementation of the “Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion” issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on May 12, 2020. These guidelines stipulate a complete prohibition on the use of PoP due to its detrimental environmental impact.
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, who are overseeing the case, have called for a detailed response from the state government. Advocate Ronita Bhattacharya, representing the petitioners, argued that the state has been procrastinating on enforcing the CPCB’s 2020 ban, which was meant to take effect in 2021, in an attempt to placate PoP idol manufacturers.
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The petition also advocates for the adoption of idols made from natural clay and other biodegradable materials, aligning with environmental standards. Moreover, it calls for the establishment of district-level committees tasked with ensuring the guidelines are actively enforced.
