On 30th January, 2025, the Bombay High Court issued an interim order prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols ahead of the upcoming Ganesh Maghi festival on 1st February, 2025. The division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre emphasized the need to uphold the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines issued in May 2020, which had banned the use of PoP idols due to environmental concerns.

The petitioners’ submitted that despite previous court order and the CPCB guidelines, PoP idols are still being sold. The Respondent-association of idol makers contended that the ban adversely affects their livelihood. They further argued that the CPCB guidelines are not binding and that no environmental assessment was conducted before imposing restrictions.

The High Court, however, dismissed these arguments, citing its 2022 ruling in Ajay Vaishampayan vs. State, which had upheld the ban on PoP idols. Additionally, it referred to the Madras High Court’s decision in District Collector, Tirunelveli vs. Prakash, where it was ruled that artisans had no inherent right to manufacture idols using PoP. This decision was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.

In light of these precedents, the Bombay High Court granted the interim order and directed municipal corporations to ensure strict compliance with the CPCB guidelines. Authorities have been instructed to implement the ban in both letter and spirit to prevent further environmental damage.

The court has scheduled the next hearing on this matter for 20th March, 2025.