Idol immersion: Allahabad HC allows relaxation for Varanasi, as state cites practical problem

State Advocate General Vijay Bahadur Singh had submitted an application before a division bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Dilip Gupta — which is hearing the PIL related to Ganga pollution — seeking modification to its earlier order in which the government was directed to ensure that the idols were not directly immersed in the Rivers Ganga and Yamuna.

While assuring the court that, as directed by the court, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms of 2010 regarding idol immersion would be followed in all the 22 districts, the state sought relaxation for Varanasi.

Amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the PIL, Arun Kumar Gupta, said: “The state requested for exemption in Varanasi because of some practical problems. Our submission was that with the state agreeing to observe the norms in other districts, relaxation may be allowed in one district.”

Chief Standing Counsel Ramesh Upadhyaya, who assisted the Advocate General in the matter, said: “We cited practical problems that were coming in the way of applying the norms, as directed by the court, in Varanasi. The court has allowed the relaxation but only for this year.”

Gupta added that the state government pointed out that, with pucca ghats on the one side and tortoise sanctuary on the other, it was not possible to provide alternative space immediately where large pits can be dug up for idol immersion.

Under the CPCB-2010 norms, instead of direct immersion, large pits are supposed to be dug up and filled with water near the river, where the idols would be immersed. These idols would then have to be cleared within 48 hours. Besides, natural dyes for idols and raising awareness among people about non-polluting methods of immersion were also to be advertised.

Earlier, the state government had been dithering over the high court directions, in which idol immersion in Rivers Ganga and Yamuna were banned. The state had cited law and order issues for seeking relaxation every time. The court had granted the same, while expressing concern over lackadaisical approach of the state government.

In its last order, passed on September 19, the high court had directed that idol immersions in all the 22 districts – along Rivers Ganga and Yamuna – would have to be carried out as per CPCB norms of 2010. Allahabad administration had already presented its proposal before the high court.
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