- By Imran Zafar
- Mon, 16 Sep 2024 11:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A Ganesh idol installed in Secunderabad's Yapral, inspired by the Bollywood film Bajirao Mastani, sparked controversy due to the inclusion of a green cap on the idol’s head. The green cap, which was part of the idol’s design, led to outrage as some perceived it as representing a Muslim avatar of the Hindu deity. The organisers quickly addressed the situation, attributing the issue to a mistake by the artist and apologising for any unintentional harm caused.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raja Singh raised concerns after the image of the Ganesh idol with a green cap and green attire went viral. Raja Singh stated that the appearance of the idol suggested a Muslim representation of Lord Ganesh, which upset some devotees.
Upon learning about the issue, the saffron party leader contacted the organising committee, and the green cap was removed and replaced with a traditional ‘pagidi’ (turban). The attire was also modified to align with more traditional Hindu customs. "They didn’t realise the design would cause a controversy, but after speaking with them, they promptly changed it," Raja Singh explained.
Mahesh, a representative of the Young Leo Youth Association, which has been organising this Ganesh installation for the past 11 years, expressed regret over the controversy. He explained that the theme was inspired by the Bajirao Mastani film, but due to delays caused by heavy rains and the artist’s failure to meet deadlines, errors occurred in the final design.
He stressed that the intention was never to hurt religious sentiments. "We sincerely regret this and it was never intentional," Mahesh said, stating that the cap was a temporary solution due to material shortages.
ALSO READ: Ganesh Visarjan 2024: Know Date, Time, Shubh Muhurat And Puja Vidhi For Anant Chaturdashi
The organising team further clarified that the artist had provided the green cap as a last-minute solution and it was never meant to offend anyone. Krishna Shanmukham, another organiser, reiterated that this was a minor error and apologised for any misunderstandings, reaffirming that their goal was to celebrate the festival with respect to all traditions.
(With ANI Inputs)
