The Madras High Court has observed that the practice of immersion of idols in water pollutes the ecosystem and poses a threat to fish and birds. The court termed it is "an illiterate attitude towards water that should be put to an end."
Justice S Vaidyanathan made the observations on Thursday while hearing the bail
pleas of two men who had been slapped with attempt to murder charges and
arrested for a clash during a 'Vinayaka Chaturthi' idol immersion festival last
month.
The judge suggested that artificial ponds could be built for immersion of idols
during the festive season. "It undoubtedly is an effective way of putting an end to
the pollution of water bodies," he said. The judge said though religious
significance is attached to the traditional practice of immersing idols in water
bodies, it has its own ill-effects as well.
"On account of the immersion, materials like clay, bamboo, grass, wood, metals,
jute, colours, painted cloth, flowers, incense sticks, dhoop, camphor and ash are
released into water bodies. Added clay results in siltation of lakes and toxic
chemicals used to make idols tend to leach out and pose serious problems of
water pollution," he said.
On the adverse impact of such materials on marine and other micro organisms, he
said pollution from immersion of such idols also damages the ecosystem, kills fish
and other marine life and poses danger to those dependent on water like birds,
animals and human beings as it reduces the oxygen level in water.
"It is not rational, prudent and judicious to pollute an already scarce commodity.
This illiterate attitude towards water should be put to an end." The judge noted
that the government had taken strict steps to implement guidelines of the
pollution control board regarding immersion of idols in water bodies.
As per guidelines, he said, idols should be made from natural materials as
described in the holy scripts. Use of traditional clay for idol making rather than
baked clay and plaster of paris, may be encouraged, allowed and promoted.
Pollution Control Board norms also say painting of idols should be discouraged. "In
case idols are to be painted, water soluble and non-toxic natural dyes should be
used. Use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting idols should
be strictly prohibited," he pointed out.
Use of thermocol or any non-biodegradable items for decoration and idol making
should strictly be avoided as it leads to exothermic self-accelerating
decomposition creating environmental pollution, he said quoting the
guidelines.
