The conditional permission granted for immersing tall Ganesh idols in the sea is set to expire in March, and the High Court has clarified its stance on this matter. According to the court's directives, permission for the immersion of tall idols in the sea is only granted until March. Previously, the blanket ban on POP (Plaster of Paris) idols from an environmental perspective was relaxed with certain conditions. However, as this period is coming to an end, discussions and movements on this topic have already begun, even though the upcoming Ganesh festival is in September.
Efforts are continuously being made at the state and judicial levels towards an eco-friendly Ganesh festival. Especially considering the issue of pollution of seas, rivers, and water bodies, emphasis is being placed on giving priority to clay idols. However, sculptors say that making clay idols and drying them naturally takes more time.
Against this backdrop, Vasant Raje, an official of the Ganesh Sculpture Association, has written a letter to the administration. In this letter, he has demanded that sculptors be granted permission to set up pavilions from March itself. He has clarified that since making clay idols requires a large space, suitable weather, and time, delayed permission causes difficulties for sculptors.
Since the temporary permission for POP idols is now coming to an end, most sculptors will have to turn back to clay idols. Although this decision is appropriate from an environmental conservation perspective, sculptors believe that it is essential to receive the necessary infrastructure and administrative support on time. Especially for artists creating large and tall idols, issues of storage, transportation, and immersion will become more serious.
Meanwhile, although the Ganesh festival is still a few months away, discussions have already begun on how to celebrate this year's festival due to judicial rules, environmental conditions, and administrative permissions. The administration faces the challenge of coordinating with Ganesh devotees, public Ganesh mandals, and sculptors to celebrate an environmentally friendly and regulated Ganesh festival.
While complying with the directives of the High Court, everyone is focused on whether a balance is struck between the economic interests of sculptors, traditional art, and environmental protection. In the coming period, the government is likely to announce a clear policy on this, which will determine the direction of this year's Ganesh festival.
In Brief
High Court's permission for immersion of tall Ganesh idols in the sea is valid only until March
Relaxation given for POP idols has ended
More time is required for clay idols