Due to ban on POP idols immersion, many idols were taken back without immersion

Devotees angry over the decision enforcement at Maghi Ganeshotsav

Mumbai – Bombay High Court has banned sale and immersion of Plaster of Paris idols. The BMC administration has acted on the order and prohibited Ganesh Mandals from immersion of idols in  natural water bodies. Western suburbs Gorai, Borivali and Kandivali Ganeshotsav Mandals could not immerse the Ganesh idols. Some of the Mandals from Kandivali and the surrounding areas had taken out immersion processions on the 7th day i.e. on 7th February. They found strict security  at the immersion site due to Court orders, so they took back the idols to the pandals and covered them. ‘Charkop cha Raja’ Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal and a few other Mandals took their idols back to the pandals without immersion. This situation has angered the devotees. The Mandals have yet not decided what they will do with these idols.

The Court had ordered  BMC to enforce strict ban on POP idols in 2020. A few days ago, on a petition in this regard the Court had ordered strict adherence to the ban order.

Editorial Perspective

Despite the report by Pollution Control Board that POP does not pollute, the Court has given this decision, and the BMC executes the order; is beyond comprehension.