Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 20: The Bombay High Court on Thursday clarified that the July 24, 2025 interim order permitting immersion of plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesh idols measuring more than six feet in the sea and natural water bodies will remain in force until the final judgment in the case.

The clarification has removed uncertainty over the immersion of POP idols ahead of the Ganesh festival, which begins on September 14 this year.

A bench comprising Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata had reserved its judgment in the POP idol matter. In an interim order dated August 14, the court had stated that the June 9, 2025 order would remain operative until the final judgment.

Under the June 9 order, the court had permitted the manufacture and sale of POP idols but had stipulated that such idols could not be immersed in natural water bodies without the court's permission.

As the written copy of the August 14 order was not immediately available, there was confusion over whether POP idols could be immersed in natural water bodies during the upcoming Ganesh festival if the final judgment was not delivered before September 14.

The Maharashtra government had maintained that POP idols measuring more than six feet should continue to be allowed to be immersed in natural water bodies until the final judgment. State Advocate General Milind Sathe therefore moved an application before the High Court on Wednesday seeking clarification.

During a brief hearing on Thursday, Sathe pointed out that under the court's interim order of July 24 last year, immersion of POP Ganesh idols measuring more than six feet in natural water bodies had been permitted until March 31, 2026.

After considering the submission, the bench clarified that it was the July 24, 2025 interim order, and not the June 9, 2025 order, that would remain operative until the final judgment.

The clarification means that POP Ganesh idols measuring more than six feet can be immersed in the sea and other natural water bodies until the court delivers its final judgment.

However, POP idols measuring six feet or less will have to be immersed only in artificial immersion ponds.

The court's clarification comes shortly before the Ganesh festival and is expected to provide relief to idol makers, devotees and authorities who had been awaiting clarity on the applicable immersion rules.

Authorities and citizens have also been urged to adopt environmentally responsible immersion practices, including the use of eco-friendly idols and designated artificial immersion facilities wherever applicable.