Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, June 28, 2026, made a special appeal to both makers and buyers of Ganpati Bappa idols ahead of the upcoming Ganesh Utsav, sharing his message through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Modi addressed the public in Hindi, saying: 'Aane waale Ganesh utsav ko dekhte hue Ganpati Bappa ki murtiyaan banaane waalon aur unke kharidaaron se mera yeh vishesh aagrah…' — translated as: 'Keeping the upcoming Ganesh Utsav in mind, I have a special appeal to those who make Ganpati Bappa idols and to those who buy them.'

Context

Ganesh Utsav, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, is one of India's most widely celebrated festivals, observed with particular fervour in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The festival typically falls between August and September each year, with millions of households and public pandals installing clay or plaster idols of Lord Ganesha for multi-day worship before immersing them in water bodies.

The Prime Minister's appeal, shared as part of Mann Ki Baat, targets the full supply chain of the festival — from artisans who craft the idols to consumers who purchase them — signalling a message likely centred on environmental responsibility.

Policy Backdrop

For several years, environmental authorities and courts across India have raised concerns about the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and chemical paints in idol-making, which release toxic substances into rivers and lakes during immersion. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has repeatedly issued guidelines encouraging the use of natural clay and eco-friendly colours for idol construction.

PM Modi has previously used Mann Ki Baat — his monthly address to the nation broadcast on the last Sunday of each month — to champion environment-conscious festival practices, including appeals for 'green Diwali' and reduced use of single-use plastics during celebrations. This appeal continues that pattern ahead of Ganesh Utsav.

Stakeholders and Impact

The appeal directly concerns the large community of idol-makers — many of them traditional artisans in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai — who depend on Ganesh Utsav for a significant portion of their annual income. Shifting to eco-friendly materials can involve higher production costs and different craft techniques, making government encouragement and consumer awareness both critical.

Buyers, who number in the crores across India and among the diaspora, also play a decisive role: consumer preference for natural clay idols can reshape market demand. Environmental groups and municipal corporations have long sought exactly this kind of high-profile public nudge to accelerate the shift away from chemically treated idols.

What's Next

The full content of PM Modi's appeal — including any specific recommendations or schemes he may have outlined — was shared via the attached video in his post. With Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 approaching in the coming months, state governments and pollution control bodies are expected to issue fresh guidelines on idol immersion. Modi's intervention from the platform of Mann Ki Baat is likely to amplify awareness campaigns already underway at the municipal and state level, potentially accelerating the mainstream adoption of eco-friendly idol practices across the country.