Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday submitted to the Bombay High Court that it would not be possible to ban the use of idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival this year, but such idols would be gradually phased out.
The state's top legal officer told a bench that while the government would follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal on using clay Ganesh idols, doing so will be difficult during this year's festival, which starts from September 14.
After this submission, the bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata queried if the state government has informed its stand to PM Modi, who during his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme last week, urged devotees to use clay Ganesh idols instead of those made of PoP.
The court, which is hearing a bunch of petitions raising concerns over the pollution caused to natural water bodies due to immersion of PoP-made idols during the ten-day Ganesh festival, last week asked the government to clarify its stand on Modi's appeal for use of clay idols.
Advocate General Milind Sathe on Tuesday informed the HC that the government would earnestly follow the PM's appeal, but this year it urged the court to continue its order passed in 2025 by which PoP-made idols above 6 feet were permitted to be immersed in the sea.
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Sathe assured the government would gradually phase out in a planned manner the use of PoP idols.
The bench then observed that the government's stand was contrary to the appeal made by the PM and asked if the government was taking the matter seriously.
"Has the government informed the Prime Minister of this stand," HC questioned.
The court said it would hear all parties concerned and then pass its order.
The petitions had sought strict implementation of the 2020 guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board as per which PoP idols should not be immersed in natural water bodies.
Last year, after the CPCB said its guidelines were advisory in nature, the high court had allowed PoP idols above six feet to be immersed in natural water bodies as per the state government's 2025 immersion policy.
The government sought similar order to be passed this year too.
A few petitions were also filed by PoP idol manufacturers claiming that their fundamental right to carry on business would be affected if PoP idols are banned.
