A major dispute has erupted over the immersion of Ganesh idols installed for Maghi Ganeshotsav in Mumbai’s suburbs. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has refused permission for the immersion of public idols in the sea, creating confusion among mandals about where to immerse them. In addition, BMC officials have announced that during the main Ganesh festival in August-September, no POP (Plaster of Paris) idols will be allowed.
The issue surrounding the immersion of POP idols during the Maghi Ganeshotsav continues. The BMC has directed mandals to immerse the idols only in artificial ponds. However, mandals have questioned how to immerse 14-15 feet tall idols in these ponds. On February 11, idol makers and mandals from Kandivli threatened to organize large processions. The BMC, however, has imposed a ban on immersion in the sea, and this dispute is likely to persist until the main Ganeshotsav in August-September.
According to reports from Times of India, BMC officials have stated that no POP idols will be allowed from August 27 to September 6, during the main Ganesh festival. "The production, sale, and immersion of POP idols during this period would violate the Bombay High Court’s order from January 30. We want to avoid any law and order issues, which is why we are not allowing sea immersion," an official explained.
"The responsibility of implementing the High Court order in Mumbai lies with the BMC, and no mandal should violate it. We are making all necessary arrangements for immersion in artificial ponds. We are urging organizers to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner," the official added.
The Central Pollution Control Board had imposed a ban on the manufacturing, sale, and immersion of POP Ganesh idols. On January 30, the court issued an order to the state government, BMC, and other municipal corporations to prevent the sale and immersion of POP idols during Maghi Ganeshotsav. However, many large mandals had already set up POP Ganesh idols in their pandals. On the seventh day of the festival, some mandals attempted to take their idols to Marve beach for immersion, but were stopped by the police and BMC. As a result, the idols had to be brought back to the pandals.