Recent incidents at Varanasi during idol immersion in the river Ganga and guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in this regard have put district administration in a fix. In all likelihood the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) would issue circular to regulate idol immersion in water bodies across the State ahead of Durga Puja.
“We have not got any such circular so far from the JSPCB. As and when it comes we would hold a consultation with various Durga puja committees of Ranchi and take them into confidence before imposing anything like that. As the practice is age old and connected with religious sentiments of the people we have to trade cautiously,” said Ranchi DC Manoj Kumar.
JSPCB had on earlier occasions issued guidelines more or less advisory in nature for the materials to be used in idol making, nature of colour to be used and their disposal.
“We have been issuing direction during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Dusshera. It was based on the suggestion we received from the CPCB. Moreover it is also the prerogative of the district administration and onus lies on them to implement the directives,” said a senior official of the JSPCB.
On its part the JSPCB would publish guidelines in newspapers. “We would issue the directive after looking at the directives of the CPCB. In a day or two the notice would be issued so that idol immersion can be regulated during the Durga puja,” Chairman of JSPCB DB Sharma told The Pioneer.
The issue of idol immersion had flared up at Varanasi during recently concluded Ganesh Chaturthi when a group of religious persons tried to discard the Allahabad High Court order barring idol immersion in the Ganga. Instead, the administration dug several ditches where idols were to be immersed.
The CPCB norms in this regard clearly state that any idol in which chemicals such as plaster of paris, artificial colours, cloths and any indecomposable materials have been used should not be drowned into water bodies like rivers.
However, the directive is set to infuriate the puja organising committees.
“There have been such orders before as well. They say colour should not be used in idol making. Is it possible to make an idol without using coloursIJ Also, the administration has not informed us in advance about any such thing. We have been immersing idols in the rivers and would continue to follow the age old tradition of ours. Practically it is impossible to abide by the guideline,” said Munchun Roy president of Ranchi District Durga Puja Committee.