PoP Ganpati Idol: Bombay High Court Allows Manufacturing of Plaster of Paris Idols, But Immersion in Natural Water Bodies Still Prohibited

Mumbai, 10th June 2025: The Bombay High Court has partially eased its earlier order banning Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols by permitting their manufacture and sale—but has maintained strict restrictions on their immersion in rivers, lakes, and other natural water bodies.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne, was hearing a public interest litigation ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, concerning the implementation of revised guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). These rules call for a complete halt to the use of PoP in idol-making due to environmental concerns.

While petitioners argued that several idol makers were openly flouting CPCB’s directives, a connected writ petition contested the guidelines, citing infringement of traditional artisans’ right to livelihood.

After reviewing both sides, the court ruled that artisans and traders may continue to produce and sell PoP idols. However, their immersion in natural water sources remains prohibited unless specifically approved by the court.

“Manufacturing and sale of PoP idols may continue, but their immersion in natural water bodies will require explicit permission from the court,” the bench clarified during the proceedings.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the Maharashtra government, informed the court that authorities were still evaluating the CPCB’s recommendations and would require additional time to take a conclusive stand on idol immersion practices. The court granted this request and scheduled the next hearing for June 30.

Underscoring the court’s position, the bench added, “There should be no immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies under any circumstances unless directed otherwise. Authorities may facilitate artificial ponds or tanks for immersion purposes.”

The legal scrutiny over idol immersion dates back to 2003, when the NGO Janhit Manch filed a PIL urging the court to curb water pollution caused by religious practices. In response, the CPCB established a committee in 2009 to draft environmental guidelines, later revised in 2020 to explicitly bar PoP idol immersion in natural water bodies—though without banning their manufacture.

In a recent development, the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC), a statutory body of the Maharashtra government, submitted a report on April 29 offering a nuanced take on the issue. Initiated by State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, the report advocated for conditional use of PoP idols painted with eco-friendly materials.

It recommended that such idols could be immersed in large water bodies like seas and major rivers—provided the immersion sites are distant from drinking water sources or ecological habitats. The commission also suggested exploring retrievable immersion techniques that allow reuse or recycling of idols.

The debate over balancing environmental protection with traditional practices continues, but for now, the High Court has drawn a clear line: idol-making may resume, but the manner and place of immersion will remain tightly regulated.