Bombay HC clarifies PoP idol immersion case limited to environmental impact
The Bombay High Court clarified that its ongoing litigation regarding Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols is strictly focused on environmental impact rather than religious interference. The court emphasized that it is not banning the festival but questioning the use of non-biodegradable materials in water bodies.
Why it matters
It balances the tension between environmental protection laws and the preservation of religious freedom in India.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (August 6, 2026) clarified that the litigation concerning immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols is confined to the environmental impact of such immersion in natural water bodies and does not seek to interfere with the religious practices of the Hindu community.
A Division Bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Kamal Khata made the observation during hearing of petitions related to the immersion of PoP idols.
The Bench stated that the issue before it was limited to whether PoP idols are harmful to the ecosystem, and not whether Ganesh Visarjan as a religious practice could be banned.
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