Despite ban, sale of PoP idols of Lord Krishna continues

 

 

 

Though the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court refused to give any respite to Plaster of Paris (PoP) idol makers, the sale of PoP idols during Janmashtami took place openly in city without any restriction. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has already imposed a complete ban on manufacturing, selling and use of PoP idols, but lack of effective implementation of the restriction has allowed idol manufacturers to sale the PoP idols in the city during Janmashtami. The green activists and artisans of the city are now raising question about the intentions of civic body on strict implementation of the ban during Ganesh festival which is round the corner.

 

“How did NMC allow sale of PoP idols during Janmashtami when the High Court has already banned the sale and manufacturing of PoP idols in the city?” questioned Manoj Bind, a Chitar Oli-based artisan. Bind informed that the Ganesh idols made up of PoP had already arrived in city from Amravati for sale. The Amravati-based manufacturers sell their idols in Nagpur during festival. The civic body must restrict such import from other places and also take action against the retailers who are selling such PoP idols in the city, Bind told ‘The Hitavada’. “Identifying a PoP or a clay idol is very difficult for consumer. But a buyer can ask the retailer for the bill. The PoP idol seller will not provide any bill mentioning PoP on it,” said Bind. The artisans are already facing problems due to pandemic for over a year. “The civic body will take action against workshops and dealers engaged in manufacture or sale of PoP idols in city.

 

We have informed Assistant Commissioners of all Zones to take action and also spread awareness about the ban among sellers and manufacturers,” said Rajesh Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, NMC. Due to huge demand of PoP idols, the artisans have sold just 50% of clay idols so far. Over 1,500 artisans are in to the business of idol-making in and around Nagpur city and among them 500 are from Chitaroli area itself. The business of all such artisans have affected due to PoP idols in recent time. “Administration is focusing on only Ganpati festival. PoP Ganesh idols can not be sold or purchased for worship purpose but there is absolutely no action on PoP Krishna idols on the occasion of Janmashtami,” said Mehul Kosurkar, Deputy Team Lead, Green Vigil Foundation. Kosurkar said, “Though the number of Krishna idols are comparatively much less in number as compared to Ganesh idols but rules should be uniform. Moreover, presently our lakes are also not barricaded, thus, it will be very easy to immerse Krishna idols in water bodies, adversely affecting the lake ecosystem.”