Decision to ban PoP Ganesh idols stayed for one year

Months ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, the Central Pollution Control Board imposed a ban on the use of Plaster of Paris, thermocol, and plastic to construct idols. The board had stated that idols can only be made from eco-friendly, bio-degradable material. However, on Friday, Union Environment Minister, Prakash Javadekar announced a one-year stay on the ban on PoP Ganesh idols.

गणेश मूर्ति के लिए plaster of paris पर पाबन्दी का निर्णय १ साल के लिए स्थगित कर दिया गया है। इससे इस साल जिनकी मूर्तियां बनी है उनको नुकसान नहीं होगा।@PIB_India @PIBMumbai @DDNewsHindi

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) May 22, 2020

The Minister in his tweet said that the stay has been put on the decision to ensure that the labourers who have been working on constructing the idols from Plaster of Paris for this year's Ganesh Chaturthi, do not suffer loss.

The announcement from Javadekar comes in the wake of an appeal made to him by the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanway Samiti. The Samiti had argued that with three months left for Ganesh Chaturthi, the ban would cause a major loss for all the artisans who have started the preparation of idols for the 11-day festival.

Every year Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with a lot of fervor all across the country and especially so in Maharashtra. However, keeping in mind the social distancing norms that one has to follow, this year the celebrations may end up being subdued. 

While most feel that things will not become normal till Ganesh Chaturthi, the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanway Samiti is confident that the festival will be celebrated this year as well at any cost.

The President of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanway Samiti, Naresh Dahibavkar has appealed to the people as well as the mandals to be prepared to celebrate the festival this year without much pomp and with simplicity. 

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of a kind experience for people across Maharashtra, especially Mumbai where people await every year to welcome their beloved bappa to their homes. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ganpati mandals are unsure about how the festivities will happen this year.