Dharwad bans PoP Ganesh idols, announces ₹1 lakh fine for excessive DJ sound

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Ganesh idols made of mud getting ready for the annual festival in Dharwad district of Karnataka. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

The Dharwad district administration has banned the manufacture, sale, storage and use of Ganesh idols made of plaster of Paris (PoP) and other chemically treated material.

Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. has directed officials to seize DJ sound systems used in violation of prescribed noise limits during the Ganesh festival, and impose a fine of up to ₹1 lakh on violators.

At a meeting held in Hubballi to review measures to prevent the use of PoP idols and discuss precautions regarding green crackers, Ms. Snehal said strict action would be taken against violations.

She said DJ sound systems had been prohibited during the Gowri-Ganesh festival as excessive noise could inconvenience senior citizens, children and pregnant women. Instead, organisers should promote traditional folk performances, such as Dollu Kunitha, Hejje Mela and Karadi Majalu, she said.

Officials were directed to conduct surprise inspections across the district and seize PoP idols wherever they were found. Sellers violating the ban should be penalised and only eco-friendly clay idols should be sold, she said.

“Celebrating festivals is a matter of cultural pride, but the celebrations should be environmentally responsible,” Ms. Snehal said, urging people to choose idols made of natural clay and colours that dissolve easily in water.

She said the district administration, in coordination with the police, local bodies and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, had begun inspections to prevent the sale and use of PoP idols. Police, Environment, Revenue and local body officials were instructed to conduct regular checks.

The administration will establish check-posts at district and city borders to prevent PoP idols from being brought in from other districts. Vehicles transporting the banned idols and the idols themselves should be seized, Ms. Snehal directed.

Organisers should inform the police in advance about routes proposed for Ganesh idol installation and immersion processions. Any change in the route should also be reported immediately. The processions should not obstruct traffic or inconvenience other people.

Ms. Snehal urged residents to use traditional clay idols and consider immersing them at home in a bucket of water. The clay could subsequently be used for growing plants and saplings.

Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rudresh Ghali said the civic body would provide an incentive of ₹25,000 to makers of clay Ganesh idols and felicitate them. Residents installing clay idols at home can submit photographs to the corporation to receive a certificate.

The corporation has designated public water tanks for idol immersion. Mr. Ghali appealed to organisers not to play film songs during installation and immersion ceremonies, and prohibited the use of laser lights.