Ganeshotsav 2025: High Court Ban on POP Ganesh Idols; Mumbai Sculptors Seek Govt Intervention

Following the High Court's ban on Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesh idols, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Pollution Control Board are strictly enforcing it. The Municipal Corporation confirms the ban is permanent. Because of this, sculptors are holding a meeting today at Nare Park, Parel. They are asking the state government to step in and help them, as they worry the ban will cause major financial losses.

The ban is based on environmental concerns and is being strictly enforced. The Municipal Corporation is encouraging the use of eco-friendly Shadu clay idols, especially instead of large POP idols. However, the Municipal Corporation hasn't promised to provide artificial ponds for idol immersion. The All-Maharashtra Sculptors' Association called the meeting to find a solution to this problem.

According to a Municipal Corporation notice from January 30, 2025, POP idols are completely banned, and Central Pollution Control Board rules must be followed. Prashant Desai, President of the Ganesh Sculpture Workers' Association, disagrees with the complete ban. He argues that POP is environmentally safe, and that the industry is important to the economy. He also said they plan to meet with Ganeshotsav groups to ask the government for a solution to protect their businesses.

Hitesh Jadhav, president of the Akhil Sarvanik Utsav Samiti, says sculptors' businesses have been slow for three months because of the ban. While Shadu clay idols are being made, they are more expensive, and it's hard to make large idols with them, which has greatly hurt the industry.