Bombay HC: PoP Idol Immersion In Natural Water Bodies Allowed

The Bombay High Court on Thursday clarified that its July 24, 2025 order permitting immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols measuring over six feet in natural water bodies will remain in force until it delivers its final judgment on the issue.

A bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata issued the clarification after Advocate General Milind Sathe sought clarity on the effect of the court’s earlier orders. The clarification became necessary after the court, on August 14, reserved its judgment in a batch of petitions challenging the manufacture, sale and immersion of PoP idols.

The court's June 9, 2025 interim order had lifted restrictions on the manufacture and sale of PoP idols after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revised its earlier stand. The CPCB had maintained that the manufacture and sale of PoP idols were prohibited for nearly five years, but later clarified that its guidelines were only “advisory”.

The High Court had imposed conditions on the immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies, allowing idols above six feet to be immersed subject to certain conditions. The petitions before the bench seek implementation of the CPCB's 2020 guidelines, which prohibit the immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies.

The petitioners have also challenged the Maharashtra government's August 1, 2025 immersion policy, which permitted immersion of PoP idols above six feet in natural water bodies while requiring smaller idols to be immersed in artificial ponds. The state's policy expired in March 2026, but the government has sought to continue with the same arrangement.

After hearing the petitioners, the state government and other intervenors, the bench reserved its judgment. The court's final judgment will determine the fate of PoP idol immersion in natural water bodies.

The issue of PoP idol immersion has been a contentious one, with environmental concerns being raised about the impact of PoP on water bodies. The CPCB's guidelines aim to reduce pollution in water bodies, and the court's final judgment will be closely watched.

The Maharashtra government's immersion policy has been criticized by environmentalists, who argue that it does not go far enough in protecting the state's water bodies. The policy allows for the immersion of PoP idols above six feet in natural water bodies, but requires smaller idols to be immersed in artificial ponds.

The court's clarification on the July 24 order provides temporary relief to idol makers and devotees, who can continue to immerse PoP idols in natural water bodies until the final judgment is delivered. However, the ultimate decision on the issue will depend on the court's final verdict.

The Bombay High Court's decision will have significant implications for the environment and the idol-making industry in Maharashtra. The court's final judgment will be closely watched by environmentalists, idol makers, and devotees, who are all eager to know the fate of PoP idol immersion in natural water bodies.

In conclusion, the Bombay High Court's clarification on the July 24 order allows for the continued immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies until the final judgment is delivered. The court's final verdict will determine the fate of PoP idol immersion and will have significant implications for the environment and the idol-making industry in Maharashtra.

The issue of PoP idol immersion is a complex one, involving environmental, social, and cultural considerations. The court's final judgment will need to balance these competing interests and provide a solution that is fair and equitable to all parties involved.

The Maharashtra government and the CPCB will need to work together to implement the court's final judgment and ensure that the state's water bodies are protected from pollution. The idol-making industry will also need to adapt to the court's decision and find alternative materials and methods for making idols.

Overall, the Bombay High Court's clarification on the July 24 order provides temporary relief to idol makers and devotees, but the ultimate decision on the issue will depend on the court's final verdict. The court's final judgment will have significant implications for the environment and the idol-making industry in Maharashtra, and will be closely watched by all parties involved.