The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has expressed concerns about the escalating trend of installing oversized idols during festivals, a practice often involving significant expenditure. During a hearing led by Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri, the judges questioned the feasibility of regulating this trend and highlighted the potential excesses associated with such displays.
The hearing, part of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the environmental impact of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, is set to continue on August 21. Adv. Shrirang Bhandarkar, representing the petition, emphasized the rising water pollution caused by the immersion of POP idols in reservoirs.
Initiated by the High Court in 2021 to tackle environmental concerns related to idol immersion, the PIL has seen progress. Adv. Bhandarkar noted that the state government has introduced a policy to address these issues, as confirmed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. The Court has directed both the state government and municipal corporation to submit affidavits within two weeks detailing the policy’s implementation.