Bombay High Court Questions Scripture Basis for PoP Idol Immersion
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday questioned whether Hindu religious scriptures require idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) to be immersed in water bodies, while hearing public interest litigation in Mumbai seeking strict implementation of environmental guidelines.
A bench comprising Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata asked counsel representing Ganesh mandals to produce any scriptural mandate requiring PoP idol immersion in natural water sources. The court is hearing petitions seeking the implementation of 2020 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, which ban the immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies to curb pollution.
The petitions also challenge the Maharashtra state government's immersion guidelines issued on August 1, 2025. Those state rules permit the immersion of PoP idols measuring over six feet in natural water bodies, while directing smaller idols to be immersed in artificial ponds.
During the hearing, senior advocate S.M. Gorwadkar, appearing for PoP idol-makers, reiterated a proposal for symbolic immersion of larger idols. Under this scheme, devotees would perform the immersion ritual symbolically by touching the idol's feet to the water, after which civic authorities would transport the idols to designated collection or recycling centres. Gorwadkar stated that this measure aims to prevent pollution and protect the environment under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution.
Gorwadkar noted that after the CPCB clarified its guidelines were advisory, nothing remained to be challenged regarding the ban itself. He emphasized the need to curb toxic substances and chemical paints that pollute water bodies. He also argued that idol-making accounts for a minuscule share of total PoP production, calling for a broader policy to manage PoP waste from sectors such as construction and medical applications.
Advocate Uday Warunjikar, representing Akhil Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti Maharashtra on behalf of Ganesh mandals, opposed the symbolic immersion proposal. He told the court that "Dharma Shastra does not permit symbolic visarjan."
Justice Gadkari then asked Warunjikar to produce any scripture supporting PoP idol immersion. Warunjikar replied that Hindu scriptures were written approximately 3,000 years ago, when PoP did not exist, though idols were still immersed at that time. The High Court will continue hearing arguments in the matter on Wednesday.
