The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that it will not be possible to implement a ban on Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols for this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The statement came during a hearing related to the environmental impact of PoP idols, prompting the High Court to question why the ban could not be enforced despite growing concerns over pollution.
During the hearing, the state government submitted that implementing the ban this year would not be practical. While the government did not rule out restrictions in the future, it maintained that an immediate ban ahead of the upcoming festival would be difficult to carry out.
The Bombay High Court, however, expressed concern over the government’s stand. The court pointed out that the harmful effects of Plaster of Paris idols on rivers, lakes and other water bodies have been discussed for years, making the issue one of environmental importance.
The judges also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s repeated appeal encouraging people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with eco-friendly clay idols. The court observed that promoting natural clay idols is a positive step toward protecting the environment and reducing water pollution caused during idol immersion.
PoP idols are widely used because they are lighter, cheaper and easier to manufacture than traditional clay idols. However, environmental experts have long warned that Plaster of Paris does not dissolve easily in water and can leave behind harmful residues. The paints used on many PoP idols may also contain chemicals that affect aquatic life and pollute water bodies after immersion.
The High Court questioned why stricter measures could not be introduced when there has already been significant public awareness about the environmental damage caused by PoP idols. The court stressed the need to balance religious celebrations with environmental protection.
The issue has sparked debate among idol makers, environmental groups and devotees. While many artisans have already shifted to making clay idols, others argue that a sudden ban could affect their livelihood, especially when preparations for the festival are already underway.
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Maharashtra’s biggest festivals, with lakhs of devotees participating in celebrations and idol immersions every year. In recent years, authorities and environmental organisations have consistently encouraged people to choose eco-friendly alternatives to reduce pollution and protect water bodies.
The matter remains under consideration before the Bombay High Court. For this year’s festival, the Maharashtra government has maintained that a complete ban on Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols cannot be implemented immediately, while the court continues to emphasise the importance of environmentally responsible celebrations.
