Bombay High Court asks Maharashtra government to consider symbolic immersion for large Ganesha idols
The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to consider a symbolic immersion policy for large Ganesha idols to reduce environmental damage. The state government requested more time to implement changes, citing potential law and order concerns and the logistical difficulty of switching to clay.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tension between traditional religious practices and environmental sustainability in urban India.
The Bombay High Court on Friday (July 24, 2026) asked the Maharashtra government to evaluate a proposal for the symbolic immersion of large Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols of Lord Ganesha. A division Bench of Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata said the State must consider suggestions that only the feet of idols over six feet in height touch the water ceremonially, after which the idols would be transported to a designated collection centre or recycling facilities.
The court was hearing a petition challenging the State government's August 2025 policy. The policy permits the immersion of PoP idols above six feet in natural waterbodies, while mandating that smaller idols be immersed in artificial ponds. The petitioners, a group of idol makers, argued that the policy does not adequately address the environmental damage caused by the immersion of large PoP idols.
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