As artisans begin crafting Ganesha idols, Fadnavis stands his ground on viable alternative to PoP

At the meeting, Shelar said there was no objection to the use of ‘shadu’ soil but imposing an indiscriminate ban on the use of PoP across Maharashtra will not only have a severe impact on Ganesha idol makers who might run the risk unemployment, but also leave unfulfilled the huge demand for idols.

The state government, Shelar said, needs to look keenly into this industry that has a huge financial turnover and find a viable solution to address environmental concerns as well as ensure that the demand for Ganesha idols is also met.

In 2023, after imposing the ban on the use of POP, the government had instituted a committee of experts. With Ganeshotsav a few months away, idol makers have sprung into action, fearing that at this juncture, that the indiscriminate ban would have a detrimental impact on the economy of the entire industry.

The concerns include unemployment of artisans who are solely dependent on this industry for their livelihood, and loss to small undertakings like those who provide dyes and other material to make the idols.

Pen taluka in Raigad district and its surrounding area is considered the hub of Ganesha idol makers with almost 1,600 such undertakings. In villages here, artisans craft idols, from 6 inches to 12 feet in height, in their homes, churning out 3 –3.25 crore idols consolidating an annual business of more than Rs 250 to Rs 300 crore. Of these, about 1.25 crore idols are sent to six different states, including Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra and Tamil Nadu. Similar manufacturing units exist in Mumbai, Thane and other places across the state and bring in a huge turnover.

Shelar said the outright ban of PoP will adversely impact the economy. “Also, an adequate number of idols won’t be available during Ganeshotsav. Our delegation has hence requested the Dy CM to find a viable solution, to protect both the environment as well the business.”

Members of Akhil Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti (Maharashtra) were also part of the delegation.

Reiterating the importance of environmental balance, the Mumbai BJP president said it was “justified to insist on the use of shadu idols. But one has to remember that there are various issues of shadu soil – availability of skilled artisans who use the soil, availability of the soil, the time required for every idol to be made and difficulties in transportation of the idols. Hence, we request the government to resolve these issues.”

Shelar also said it was important to establish the Maharashtra Rajya Dahihandi Govinda Association to ensure the Dahihandi festival and various adventure games associated with it are carried out on a larger scale. A delegation of the coordination committee led by Shelar met Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to seek his cooperation in the matter. If this association is formed, the committee said, the games will be held on a grander scale.