Bombay HC Questions Religious Basis for PoP Idol Immersion in Natural Waters
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday questioned whether any Hindu religious scripture requires idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) to be immersed in water bodies. A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata posed the query while hearing petitions seeking implementation of 2020 Central Pollution Control Board guidelines that ban PoP idol immersion in natural water bodies.
The court is examining the Maharashtra government's August 2025 immersion guidelines, which permit larger PoP idols to be immersed in natural waters while restricting smaller ones to artificial ponds. Senior advocate S.M. Gorwadkar, representing PoP idol-makers, proposed symbolic immersion as an alternative—allowing devotees to perform rituals by touching the idol to water, after which authorities would transport them to recycling centres.
Gorwadkar argued the proposal balances religious practice with environmental protection under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution. He highlighted that idol-making represents a minuscule share of PoP production, emphasising the need for broader waste management policies across construction and medical sectors.
