New Delhi: The upcoming Supreme Court hearing will address a plea submitted by a Ganesha idol maker from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. The plea challenges an order the Madras High Court issued on September 17th. The said High Court order had temporarily halted the implementation of a single judge order that allowed the creation and sale of Ganesha idols while placing restrictions on immersing eco-friendly idols in water bodies.
Senior Advocate Shyan Divan urgently presented the matter to a bench presided over by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, seeking a hearing. Divan highlighted the time sensitivity of the situation as the Ganesh Chaturthi festival was approaching on September 19th. He pointed out that while initially, the single bench of Madras High Court had permitted idol making and selling but immersion of eco-friendly idols; however a division bench later imposed a stay on this decision.
The petitioner, Prakash from Rajasthan, and his team have been creating Ganesh idols in Palayamkottai, located in Tamil Nadu’s district. They have already produced a number of these idols. After authorities prevented him from selling these idols Prakash approached the Madurai Bench of the High Court.
Prakash contended that despite his efforts to prove otherwise, the police had threatened to close down his shop leading to a decline in customers and potential buyers. This unfortunate situation unfolded at the beginning of Vinayagar (Ganesh) Chaturthi, greatly impacting his means of earning a livelihood.
The verdict of the Supreme Court on this plea will have reaching consequences for the sale and immersion of Ganesha idols during the season.