Madras HC slams idol immersion in water bodies, says it shows “illiterate attitude”

The Madras High Court has criticized the practice of immersing idols in water bodies during festivals. It also said that it as an “illiterate attitude towards water that should be put an end.”

Justice S Vaidyanath said that such a practice is a threat to marine and aquatic life and ecosystem. He said that enforcing the environmental laws at every stage of idol making is a difficult task.

Suggesting a solution to such an issue, he said that artificial ponds can be built in specific areas for the purpose of immersing idols.

The court said, “On account of the immersion, material like clay, bamboo, grass, etc., is released into water bodies. Added clay results in siltation of the lakes and toxic chemicals used to make idols tends to dissolve and pose serious problems of water pollution,” as stated in TOI report.

Supporting the Government, the judge said that government did try to enforce the guidelines of the pollution control board regarding immersion of idols in water bodies.

Mentioning one of the guidelines, he said that the idols should be made of natural material as said in the holy scripts.