HC seeks authorities’ response to plea for immersion of eco-friendly Ganesh idols at Banganga lake, other water bodies
Court said local bodies shall ensure no water pollution due to immersion of idols
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Dismissing the application, the HC said it was not satisfied with the bona fide of the plea as it had been filed when festivities were about to conclude in a few days and the manner in which the application was filed did not inspire confidence of the court.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sought the response of state government and BMC to a plea seeking immersion of eco-friendly Ganesh idols at Banganga lake in south Mumbai and other natural water bodies in the city.
The plea claimed authorities had misinterpreted court order by making it mandatory to immerse the eco-friendly idols in artificial water tanks, despite the court order only pertaining to idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).
The court also said “it is expected that local bodies across the state shall endeavour that there is no water pollution on account of immersion of idols.”
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar was hearing a plea by Malabar Hill resident Sanjay Shirke seeking direction to quash and set aside decisions of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to restrict immersion of eco-friendly idols in Banganga lake and other natural water bodies.
The plea, argued through advocate Uday Warunjikar sought that immersion of eco-friendly idols be allowed at natural water bodies places as per tradition, state government guidelines and binding judicial orders and authorities be restrained from interfering with rights of the devotees.
Government Pleader Purnima Kantharia submitted that Ganesh idols were never immersed at Banganga lake and sought time to enable her to take instructions to respond to grievances raised in the plea. The HC will hear the plea on Thursday, September 4.
The bench was informed that the Supreme Court on September 1 had issued notice to Central and Maharashtra Pollution Control Boards and civic bodies including BMC seeking response to the appeal against the July 24 HC order.
The HC, hearing a PIL by an activist had then directed that Ganesh idols made of PoP and those less than 6 feet in height, will ‘necessarily’ and ‘mandatorily’ be immersed in artificial water bodies across Maharashtra.
Advocate Ronita Bhattacharya-Bector for PIL petitioner told the bench that the July 24 order had clearly stated that all idols less than 6 feet in height were to be immersed in artificial tanks.
Meanwhile, the HC also rejected an intervention application alleging non implementation and breach of HC orders and government decision by Mira Bhayander civic authorities alleging that local authorities and said that sentiments of section of the society were being hurt due to the same.
Dismissing the application, the HC said it was not satisfied with the bona fide of the plea as it had been filed when festivities were about to conclude in a few days and the manner in which the application was filed did not inspire confidence of the court.
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