Bombay HC rebuffs to take a call not to hurt anyone’s religious feelings over Ganpati Visarjan artificial ponds

Bombay HC rebuffs to take a call not to hurt anyone’s religious feelings over Ganpati Visarjan artificial ponds

In a new development, the Bombay High Court has entrusted the monitoring committee with deciding the adequacy of artificial ponds.

With this, the devotees were allowed to carry Gauri Ganpati for immersion on 5th day of Ganesh Festival at Girgoan Chowphatty, on Saturday, 23.

The court laid emphasis that decisions should be made by experts to ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt.

The bench comprising
Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor clarified that, taking into account on what the monitoring committee considers adequate, the number of artificial ponds could be increased. As per the judges the committee’s expert judgment would be the final word on whether one pond or more would suffice for the religious proceedings.

This decision arose from a hearing regarding an application submitted by a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The petitioner sought permission to use ponds or lakes in Aarey Colony for the immersion. This request came following the Aarey Colony’s earlier denial of permission to use the lakes for this year’s festivities.

Senior counsel Milind Sathe, representing the civic body, informed the court that the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) had taken steps to offer alternative solutions.
The BMC has made available six truck-mounted tanks for immersion.

Anil Singh, counsel for the petitioner, notified the bench that the monitoring committee had already held a meeting. They arrived to a decision to install one artificial pond within Aarey, operational since September 20. Singh, however, pointed out that a single pond wouldn’t be adequate given the volume of idols brought in for immersion. He highlighted that last year seven artificial ponds were set up, in addition to permissions for lake immersions.

Chief Justice Upadhyaya stressed that if more ponds are deemed necessary by the experts on the monitoring committee, the court would support making the required arrangements.

The court’s directive comes as an attempt to balance religious customs with environmental considerations, ensuring that Ganpati immersions proceed smoothly while avoiding any potential offence to religious feelings.

News Edit K.V.Raman