Bombay HC Hears Plea Against PoP Idol Immersion

A petitioner told the Bombay High Court that the Maharashtra government's decision to relax restrictions on the immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in natural water bodies is aimed at protecting large Ganesh mandals.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions, including a public interest litigation filed by environmentalist Rohit Joshi, seeking strict implementation of the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 2020 guidelines prohibiting immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies.

Senior advocate Mihir Desai argued that the CPCB guidelines are binding and cannot be diluted through a state policy. He emphasized that there is no dispute over the environmental impact of PoP idols, stating that they are harmful to the environment.

The state government has sought permission to allow immersion of PoP idols taller than six feet in natural water bodies, while smaller idols would be immersed in artificial ponds. The petitioner claimed that this move is possibly due to pressure from big mandals, and the state wants to protect their interests.

The court observed that the issue is in the public interest, and not just an adversarial petition. The Bench also noted that if there is a conflict between the state policy and the CPCB guidelines, the former would supersede.

The CPCB guidelines have been upheld by several courts, including the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal, and various high courts. The petitioner argued that these guidelines are legally binding and should be treated as such.

The High Court will continue the final hearing in the petitions on July 20. The case has sparked a debate about the environmental impact of PoP idols and the need to protect natural water bodies.

The immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies has been a long-standing issue in Maharashtra, with environmentalists and activists raising concerns about the harm it causes to the environment. The CPCB guidelines were introduced to address this issue and promote eco-friendly practices during festivals.

The state government's decision to relax restrictions on PoP idol immersion has been met with criticism from environmentalists, who argue that it will harm the environment and undermine the efforts to promote eco-friendly practices.

The Bombay High Court's decision in this case will have significant implications for the environment and the way festivals are celebrated in Maharashtra. It will also set a precedent for other states to follow, and highlight the need for sustainable and eco-friendly practices during festivals.

The case is being closely watched by environmentalists, activists, and citizens who are concerned about the impact of human activities on the environment. The outcome of the case will depend on the court's interpretation of the CPCB guidelines and the state government's policy on PoP idol immersion.

In conclusion, the Bombay High Court's hearing on the PoP idol immersion issue has brought attention to the need for sustainable and eco-friendly practices during festivals. The case has sparked a debate about the environmental impact of PoP idols and the need to protect natural water bodies. The court's decision will have significant implications for the environment and the way festivals are celebrated in Maharashtra.