Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, June 28, 2026, issued a special public appeal to both artisans who craft Ganesh idols and devotees who purchase them, in the lead-up to the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival season. The appeal was shared through his official Mann Ki Baat programme, reflecting the Prime Minister's continued use of the monthly radio address to connect with citizens on cultural and social themes.

Context

In the post, written in Marathi, PM Modi addressed those making and buying Ganpati Bappa idols ahead of the festival, stating — 'आगामी गणेशोत्सवाच्या पार्श्वभूमीवर गणपती बाप्पाच्या मूर्ती बनविणारे आणि त्या खरेदी करणारे यांना माझे विशेष आवाहन' — meaning, 'On the occasion of the upcoming Ganeshotsav, I have a special appeal to those who make and those who buy Ganpati Bappa's idols.' The post was accompanied by a video, the contents of which were shared as part of the Mann Ki Baat broadcast.

Ganeshotsav, the multi-day festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, is one of the most widely observed festivals in Maharashtra and across India, typically drawing millions of devotees. The festival has historically been a platform for social messaging, dating back to its popularisation by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the late 19th century as a means of community mobilisation.

Policy Backdrop

Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister's monthly radio programme, has since its launch in October 2014 served as a direct communication channel between PM Modi and citizens, covering topics ranging from national schemes to cultural observances. The programme is broadcast on All India Radio and reaches audiences across multiple languages and regions.

In recent years, PM Modi has used Mann Ki Baat to promote eco-friendly practices during festivals, including encouraging the use of clay or natural-material idols over those made with Plaster of Paris (PoP) or chemical paints, which pose environmental risks to water bodies during idol immersion. While the specific content of this appeal has not been detailed in the post text, the framing — directed specifically at both makers and buyers — is consistent with past calls for environmentally conscious and locally sourced festival practices.

Stakeholders and Impact

The appeal directly addresses two distinct communities: the artisan community that crafts Ganpati Bappa idols, many of whom are small and micro entrepreneurs dependent on the festival season for a significant portion of their annual income, and the millions of devotees and housing societies that purchase and install idols during Ganeshotsav. A nudge from the Prime Minister toward particular practices — whether eco-friendly materials, locally made idols, or specific quality standards — can meaningfully shift consumer behaviour at scale given the festival's enormous reach.

Maharashtra, where Ganeshotsav is observed with the greatest fervour, sees lakhs of idols sold each season across cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur. The Prime Minister's choice to address the audience in Marathi signals a deliberate outreach to the Marathi-speaking community ahead of the festival.

What's Next

The full content of PM Modi's appeal is available through the video shared alongside the post as part of the Mann Ki Baat episode. As Ganeshotsav 2026 approaches, the specific guidance offered — whether on eco-friendly idols, support for local artisans, or cultural practices — is expected to be amplified by state governments, civic bodies, and community organisations. The Prime Minister's intervention at this stage of the festival calendar could shape purchasing decisions and artisan production practices in the weeks ahead.