Ganesh idols made of clay with a height of more than 9 feet and those made of Plaster of Paris (POP) and more than 5 feet in height have been prohibited in Ahmedabad.
In addition, disposal of idols made of Plaster of Paris have also been prohibited in the city, said a notification issued by the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Monday. The notification is in place from August 17 to September 15.
“A proper and fixed standard of height should be maintained regarding the size of the idols made so that the process of immersion and traffic during the immersion is smooth without any law and order problem,”.
“the chemical dyes used in making the idols, and their discolouration in the river and lake water harm fishes, aquatic life and humans as well”.
The notification also states that the places where the idols are made or are kept for sale should be kept clean. It also prohibits such idols being kept on the public roads, and keeping and leaving the broken idols in a disinherited condition. Use of toxic chemical dyes which do not dissolve easily in water are also prohibited in making these idols.
The notification further indicates that it is prohibited to create, purchase, or sell idols with any markings or symbols that offend religious sensibilities. Additionally, no other route than the one for which the permit has been granted may be used for the procession of any idol. Any location other than the one specified cannot be used for the immersion. The notification makes it clear that only the cisterns built by the AMC are permitted for the immersion of the idols.
The order has disappointed idol creators, who claim that the notification was sent without their consent and a little too late.
“We have idols of almost all sizes and mostly made of POP. In fact, over 50 per cent of the idols ordered are those which are more than 5 feet. The demand for the clay idols is quite less as compared to the POP ones… We do not exactly know what the guidelines regarding the size are. But the orders for the idols have been placed and we cannot do anything about it. I guess it has been told quite late. More than the said pollution caused by POP, the pollution is due to the chemical colours. We have mostly tried using water colours which do not pollute the water,” said Paresh Parmar, 35, one of the many sculptors in Gulbai Tekra.
“The government should pass orders thinking about our livelihood. And this has come up too late. A good decision would have been made after discussing the matter with us. Orders like these should be passed in due advance,” said Bhagwandas Parmar, another sculptor.