Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the State Government to frame uniform policy as to capping heights of idols of Gods and Goddess. Granting two weeks time, the bench of Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice Govind Sanap expressed displeasure at non adherence to norms as to ban on sale of PoP idols.
The Court said in case the State fails to finalise the policy then the task will be undertaken by them. The idols of Plaster of Paris (PoP) do not dissolve in water after immersion and have been cited as the prime cause of pollution of rivers and lakes. Hearing the writ petition about the same, the bench said there is need to stop production of PoP idols. Though there is a ban on PoP idols, the State norms left an escape route as it does not cover statues and other articles used in various religious festivals.
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Saturday 23 Nov. 2024
Taking advantage of the same, the manufacturers also push the PoP idols of Gods and Goddess thereby causing irreparable loss to the environment. Even the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has batted for a ban on PoP idols. The bench directed State to have uniform policy as to ban on PoP idols and there should not be any discrimination.
Justice Shukre and Justice Sanap also said the stakeholders and Amicus Curiae Adv Shreerang Bhandarkar and Adv Jemini Kasat should also assist the State in framing the uniform policy. Meanwhile, the PoP idol makers approached the HC seeking lifting the ban as they contended that there is no uniform approach in the State and different Municipal Corporation have different norms.
Arguing their matter, Adv Rohan Malviya said compared to idols of mud, those of PoP look quite attractive. Further there is shortage of idols prepared from mud in the market and for the artists the ban on use of PoP has affected their livelihood.
