ANDHASHRADDHA NIRMULAN SAMITY Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The principal prayers, according to the petitioners, in the writ petition, are as under:

(2.) In India, idol worship has been a practice since ancient times. On festive occasions, such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Pooja, etc., it has been a tradition to immerse idols in water bodies like rivers, lakes, ponds, well. etc. The consequent pollution of such water bodies has been a matter of concern. It is also a common knowledge that synthetic colours, chemicals are used in making the idols for worship and when these idols are immersed, our aquatic and surrounding environment get affected.

(3.) It appears that this Court had an occasion to deal with similar prayers, as in the present writ petition, in Writ Petition No.1325/ 2003 : Janhit Manch Vs. The State of Maharashtra & others, 2008 5 AllMR 299. That petition was disposed of vide order dated 22.07.2008. While disposing of the writ petition, following observations were made: