Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Tuesday questioned whether Hindu scriptures mention immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in water.Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata were hearing a PIL by two activists and nine clay artisans seeking implementation of the Central Pollution Control Board’s May 2020 revised guidelines that ban PoP idols and also challenging the state’s Aug 1, 2025, immersion guidelines/policy.Senior advocate S M Gorwadkar, who represents PoP artisans, had earlier suggested symbolic immersion of big idols. In his rejoinder, he said he made the suggestion in order to prevent further pollution. “Under Article 51 A (g) it is a fundamental duty. The suggestion is only a step ahead,” he added. He pointed out that a “separate small idol for immersion is already there” in the state’s immersion policy.Gorwadkar said his clients have challenged the ban on PoP idols. But with CPCB clarifying the amended guidelines are advisory, “there is nothing left for us to challenge.” Gorwadkar also said out of the total production of PoP, “idol-making is only a fraction, minuscule.” He said a policy is required to take care of PoP waste which is created through various uses including construction and for medical purposes.Advocate Uday Warunjikar for Akhil Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti Maharashtra, which represents mandals, said if symbolic visarjan of PoP idols is to be introduced, then he would have to argue further. “Dharma Shastra does not permit symbolic visarjan,” he said. The judges asked him to show one of the scriptures which says that a PoP idol has to be immersed. Warunjikar replied that 3,000 years back when the scriptures were written, PoP was not there and idols were immersed. The hearing will continue on Wednesday.
