Bombay High Court Upholds Ban on Plaster of Paris Idols for Maghi Ganapati Festival

The Bombay High Court has upheld the ban on Plaster of Paris (POP) idols for the Maghi Ganapati festival, citing environmental concerns.

A Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre directed Maharashtra’s municipal bodies, including the BMC, to strictly enforce CPCB guidelines prohibiting POP idols' production and immersion.

The Court denied idol makers’ plea challenging the ban and emphasised pollution risks posed by POP immersion.

Granting interim relief to petitioners, the Court scheduled the next hearing for March 20, reinforcing the importance of environmental protection over traditional practices.