HC: PoP Ganesh idols up to 6 feet must use artificial ponds for immersion

With Ganeshotsav approaching, the Bombay High Court has cleared up some of the confusion around the immersion of POP idols. The court has reserved its final verdict in the matter, but has made clear that last year's interim directions will continue to apply until then. This means the municipal administration will have to plan this year's immersions on the basis of the same directions.

Petitions had been filed in the High Court seeking restrictions on POP idol immersion as it was worsening the problem of water pollution. The petitions have been heard, but a final decision is still pending. Until then, the earlier directions will remain in force, the court has said.

Under these directions, POP Ganesh idols up to six feet in height cannot be immersed in natural water bodies. Such idols will have to be immersed only in artificial ponds, artificial tanks or mobile immersion tanks. This means smaller POP idols belonging to households and public mandals can no longer be immersed in natural lakes, rivers, creeks or the sea.

However, the court has granted a conditional exemption for POP Ganesh idols taller than six feet. This will benefit larger public Ganeshotsav mandals, who will have the option of immersion in natural water bodies. But while doing so, they will be required to follow the conditions laid down by the court and the administration. Since the final verdict is still pending, these interim directions will apply for this year's festival as well. Ganesh mandals are expected to strictly follow the court's orders and the municipal corporation's local instructions while planning immersions.

Environmental activist Charan Bhat took a clear stand on the issue. He said that, given the impact of POP idol immersion on natural water bodies, immersion of shadu clay idols is better for the environment compared to POP. It is hoped that Ganesh devotees will give preference to clay idols. He also noted that the immersion of POP idols in natural water bodies is a matter of environmental concern. An appeal has been made for as many devotees as possible to adopt eco-friendly clay idols.

The municipal corporation will have to make separate arrangements to ensure that nirmalya is not thrown directly into water bodies during immersion. Emphasis needs to be placed on the availability of nirmalya kalash, cleanliness at immersion sites, crowd control and safety measures. The municipal administration has said that immersion will be carried out strictly as per the court's directions. It has also clarified that the necessary planning for setting up artificial tanks, cleanliness, security and crowd control is underway.