The association of idol makers has moved the Bombay High Court, challenging the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines that prohibit the use and immersion of Plaster-of-Paris (PoP) idols.

Earlier this year, on January 30, just two days before Maghi Ganesh Utsav, a division bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe had directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and other agencies to strictly enforce CPCB regulations.

The petition, filed by Shri Ganesh Murtikar Utkarsha Sanstha Thane, an organization representing artisans, was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M.S. Karnik. The next hearing is scheduled for April 23.

Meanwhile, Pankaja Munde, State Environment Minister during the budget session, informed the legislature that the government had sought an expert study on the environmental impact of PoP idols. Anil Kakodkar, head of the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RJSTC), has been tasked with determining the exact reasons why PoP idols are harmful to water bodies.

The artisans have argued that banning PoP idols violates their fundamental rights under multiple provisions of the Indian Constitution, including Article 14 (equality), Article 19 (right to practice any profession), Article 21 (right to life and liberty), Article 25 (freedom of religion), and Article 300-A (protection of property).

They further contended that the CPCB guidelines are not laws passed by the legislature and should not be enforced as such.