Mandals or Idol Makers Will Be Held Responsible for POP Idols : Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Police action against both mandals and idol makers for contempt of the Bombay High Court – Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Mumbai – While POP idols were permitted for immersion in artificial ponds during the Maghi Ganesh festival, a complete ban on POP idols will be imposed for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi. As a result, such idols will not be allowed for immersion in natural water bodies, the sea, or even artificial ponds. If this order is violated, idol makers and public Ganesh mandals will be held accountable. Moreover, police action may be taken against both parties for contempt of the Bombay High Court, stated the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

🚨 Double standards alert! 🚨

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is threatening to take police action against mandals or idol makers who use POP idols, citing contempt of the Bombay High Court. 📜 ⚖️

But what about the BMC’s own contempt for the Supreme Court’s orders… https://t.co/VdGfIYST19 pic.twitter.com/l6Las4qbhS

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 14, 2025

Petitioner Rohit Joshi had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) stating that only POP idols were being sold during Maghi Ganeshotsav. Acting on this, the Bombay High Court issued an order on February 1, 2025, directing the state government, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), municipal corporations, and district collectors across the state to strictly enforce the ban on POP idols. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation had already issued a circular on January 6 regarding this matter.

On February 7, when immersion of idols was denied, mandals took the idols back to their pavilions. By February 10, the Municipal Corporation created artificial ponds for idol immersion. In this backdrop, the Corporation has once again issued warnings to mandals regarding the POP ban.

Editorial Perspectives

• The municipal administration is issuing such orders without providing a proper alternative to POP idols. The Pollution Control Board has stated that POP does not cause pollution—will the pro-Hindutva government intervene in this matter ?
• Where does the concern for court contempt disappear when implementing the Supreme Court’s orders to remove illegal loudspeakers from mosques ? Is the failure of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai Police to act against mosque loudspeakers not contempt of the Supreme Court ? The people of Mumbai, recognize the anti-Hindu bias of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation !