Telangana: SC allows 'symbolic immersion' of PoP Ganesha idols in Hussain Sagar

The bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant heard the plea by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Commissioner, Lokesh Kumar, seeking permission to immerse Ganesh idols in Hussain Sagar.

The CJI observed that It's not a new phenomenon to Hyderabad. This problem occurs every year. "You are not aware that a lot of money was spent for the purification of the lake. Every year if you allow this immersion what is the point of that beautification or money spent. It's a waste. You should've taken steps. Last-minute you are coming," said CJI to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Unfortunately, this is a recurrent problem happening in Hyderabad, in spite of directions, the government has not followed directions, and immersions are happening in the lake, added the CJI.

The Solicitor General asked the bench be there a symbolic immersion, the idols will be immediately be taken out.

The Telangana High Court on Monday turned down the state's plea to permit the immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols in Hussainsagar. The High Court said it cannot permit the pollution of water bodies by allowing PoP idol immersion.

The Telangana High Court on 9 September had banned the immersion of PoP idols in Hussainsagar. A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice M.S Ramchandra Rao and Justice T. Vinod Kumar had also ordered that immersion of PoP Ganesha idols should be allowed at only designated spots along the Necklace Road.

The acting Chief Justice, on Monday, said that the state has created an impossible situation, and now it has to solve it. "We cannot accord permission to allow people to pollute Hussainsagar," said the acting CJ.

"The government has spent a large amount of the taxpayers' money to beautify Tank Bund. Will the immersion of Ganesha idols do not cause damage to Tank Bund? Has the government not thought this through?" the High Court questioned.