Ban on making Shri Ganesh Idols using Plaster of Paris in Tamil Nadu

Supreme Court dismisses plea challenging Madras High Court’s order

New Delhi – The Supreme Court has ruled that Shri Ganesh Idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) will remain banned in Tamil Nadu. A petition challenging the Madras High Court’s order banning the PoP Ganesh Idols was heard by the Supreme Court. In hearing that petition, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision. At the same time, the Court also clarified that, ’You can manufacture anything out of natural clay’.

The ongoing stay on the sale of Lord Ganesha's idols made of Plaster of Paris will continue in Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with an order passed by the Madras High Court, banning the sale of such idols. (@sardakanu_law)https://t.co/c8iZHOguVu

— Law Today (@LawTodayLive) September 19, 2023

The advocate for Idol makers, Shyam Dewan, said that PoP Idols have been made for many years. Idol makers take loans for the same, so please consider this. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has banned not the making of Shri Ganesh Idols made of PoP, but its disposal.

Public Advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, while replying after Advocate Dewan’s argument, said that the CPCB has prohibited making PoP Idols of Shri Ganesh. According to the rules of the Board, environment-friendly Idols too should be immersed in an artificial tank.