Click to play videoSurat: Every year, about 25,000 idols of lord Ganesha and other deities are immersed in Surat's Tapi river. Most of them made of Plaster of Paris and painted with hazardous chemicals leave the river polluted and dirty.
But that's set to change. Following a Gujarat High Court order, the Surat police is cracking down on idol makers. As many as 6000 idols have been seized and six people arrested. From now on, only idols made from mud or clay will be allowed to be immersed in the river.
Surat Commissioner of Police Rakesh Asthana said, "We have issued a notification in this regard, which people contested in the court. With the court upholding our stand, we have begin implementing it now."
This comes after a decade long struggle by religious groups who say religion shouldn't be followed at the cost of the environment.
President of Surat Sarva Dharm Utsav Samiti Kalpesh Barot said, "We had complained to the Police Commissioner, Collector and Municipal Commissioner, but nothing happened. Finally we approached the High Court."
President of Surat Ganeshotsav Samiti Anil Biscuitwala said, "We have asked mandals to use mud or clay idols. Everybody is co-operating right now."
The move may also prevent frequent floods in Surat. Many believe its the excessive silting in the Tapi river that causes the floods.
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