Bombay High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Enforcement Of Ban On Religious Idols Made With Plaster Of Paris

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking implementation of the ban on using Plaster of Paris (PoP) to manufacture religious idols. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar heard the matter on Wednesday and issued notice to the respondent authorities. The Court sought a reply from the State about the list of idol makers using eco-friendly materials.

The petitioners allege that the Maharashtra State authorities, including the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai have failed to implement the ban on immersion of PoP idols in water bodies. 

The petition referred to the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued in 2020, which prohibited the use of PoP for making religious idols, intended to be immersed in water. The 'Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion' mandates that idol immersions occur only in designated artificial tanks or ponds.

The petitioners claim that the respondent authorities are deliberately delaying enforcement to appease PoP idol makers. They claim violations of Article 14 of the Constitution, alleging that respondent authorities are acting arbitrarily and ignoring the illegal use of PoP.

The petitioners prayed for directing the respondent authorities to strictly enforce the CPCB's guidelines within the state. They also seek the prompt completion of MPCB's proposed online portal for registering idol makers who use eco-friendly materials, ensuring that it is readily accessible for all purchasers.

Case title: Rohit Joshi & Ors. vs. State of Maharashtra & ors.