PoP Idols Shall Not Be Immersed In Any Natural Water Body: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Monday (June 9) said that it will not permit immersion of any Plaster of Paris (PoP) idol in natural water bodies at any cost.

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said it will not permit any PoP idol to be immersed in natural water bodies. 

While dictating the order the court said, "We therefore, deem it appropriate to direct the State to take a decision w.r.t. to immersion of idols made of PoP in light of the recommendations made by the CPCB expert committee...needless to state that it will be open for associations or artisans to make idols of PoP however the same shall not immersed in any natural body". 

During the hearing the bench was informed that an Expert Committee of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recommended that the PoP idols can be manufactured but cannot be immersed in natural water bodies. The CPCB committee has said that such idols can only be immersed in artificial water bodies. The CPCB further clarified on an affidavit that it's guidelines are not statutory but advisory in nature. 

The court was hearing a PIL which claimed that despite a ban idols are still being immersed in serious violation of guidelines by CPCB. 

Advocate General Dr Birendra Saraf for the State sought some "leeway" for large idols stating that these large idols (of 20 feet and above) "have become a part of our culture".

The court at this stage orally said, "Mr AG, we are sure about the fact that any PoP idol will not be permitted to be immersed in a natural water body. You can create artificial water bodies and immerse the PoP idols there". 

The Advocate General submitted, that the "State will not come in the way if the Mandals use the same idol permanently". 

The bench thereafter said, "Yes you take a decision".

The bench thereafter passed the order recording the developments in the matter. It ordered the State to take a decision on immersion of PoP idols within 3 weeks.

The matter is next listed on June 30.