Mumbai High Court lifts the ban on POP : Relief to Ganesh-devotees and sculptors

Order to immerse POP idols in artificial water tanks instead of natural water resources

Mumbai – Under the amended rules and regulations, there is no ban on making idols from Plaster of Paris (POP) and their sale; however, such POP idols will have to be immersed only in artificial water tanks, as per the order passed by Mumbai High Court on 09.06.2025 while lifting the ban on the use of POP. It has also been made mandatory to mark such POP idols with a red sign on their back side.

The Mumbai High Court had imposed a ban on the use of POP for making Ganesh idols since the ‘Maghi’ Ganesh festival of this year. The Municipal Corporations accordingly issued orders imposing a ban on POP idols. A meeting was held in Mumbai by the association of sculptors a few days ago. In this meeting, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar had promised to go to the High Court since no study was undertaken about the effect of POP causing pollution. The association of sculptors filed a case in the court against the ban on use of idols made from POP. Later, the State Government set up a committee with ‘Padmavibhushan’ awardee scientist, Dr Anil Kakodkar, as its chairman. The committee’s report was sent to the Central Pollution Control Board and it has been accepted as has been observed in the order passed by the High Court.

Orders by Mumbai High Court

1. The Court has directed the State Government to form a committee to decide the measures to be undertaken for immersion of POP idols and submit the detailed information to Court. The next hearing will be held on 30.06.2025.

2. The State Government has been asked by Mumbai High Court to talk to all major Ganesh festival committees and find a solution because as per the Court’s orders, idols made with POP cannot be immersed in natural water resources like sea, river, lake, etc.

Background of the Ban on POP

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) imposed a ban on POP in 2020. However, due to various reasons, the state governments could not implement it effectively.
• In the intervening years, Idol makers had filed petitions on this issue. These petitions were dismissed by several High Courts including the Bombay High Court, as well as the Supreme Court. Idol-making using POP, however, continued.
• Environmental activist Rohit Joshi and others filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging that POP Idols were being sold for the Maghi Ganesh Festival.
• In response, the Bombay High Court ordered strict enforcement of the POP ban during the 2025 Maghi Ganesh Festival. This order was directed at the State Government, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), municipal corporations, and district collectors across Maharashtra.
• Subsequently, the Shri Ganesh Murti Artisan Workers’ Union from Thane filed a new petition in the Bombay High Court.
• The state government claimed in court that under certain conditions, use of POP could be permitted. A committee was appointed, and its report was submitted to the CPCB on May 5.
• The Bombay High Court directed the CPCB to present its opinion on the matter.
• After reviewing the state-appointed committee’s report, the CPCB’s expert panel acknowledged that the 2020 guidelines were advisory in nature. The ban applies only to the immersion of POP Idols in natural water bodies—not to their manufacture or sale.
• On June 9, the state’s Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf stated in court that large Idols (over 20 feet) have become part of our cultural tradition. If festival organisers continue to use the same Idols every year, the State will not object to it.

Editorial Perspectives

• Immersion of Shri Ganesh Idols is a sacred ritual prescribed by Hindu Dharma Shastras. Therefore, before issuing any directive related to it, it is essential to consider the views of all concerned stakeholders. Yet, when it comes to Hindu religious traditions, the guidance of Dharmacharyas and authoritative Saints is consistently overlooked by leaders. This continued disregard in a Hindu-majority nation is a matter of deep shame for its Hindu citizens.

• ‘POP’ does not cause water pollution; instead, it improves water quality, claims research by Pune-based ‘Srushti Eco Research’. Furthermore, it has often come to light that water from artificial immersion tanks is eventually released into major natural water bodies. In many cases, artificial tanks have led to the desecration of Deities’ Idols. There have also been past reports of corruption in the construction of such artificial water sources. Hence, devout and sensitive Hindus believe that these aspects too must be taken seriously by both the judiciary and the government.