FIR Over Controversial Ganesha Idol In Indore; Bajrang Dal Blackens Sculptor's Face

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Controversy erupted in Khajrana area on Sunday evening after a group of Bajrang Dal workers objected to a modern-style idol of Lord Ganesha being sculpted by Bengali artists. Accusing the sculptors of hurting religious sentiments, the activists blackened their faces and brought them to Khajrana Police Station, where a complaint was lodged on Monday.

The idol which was made by the artists was depicting Lord Ganesha lifting a model-like woman. ‘This design is offensive and inappropriate,’ Bajrang Dal’s divisional convenor Praveen Darekar said.

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Police have registered a case against the artists and started an investigation. Following the incident, police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain peace and prevent further unrest.

Bajrang Dal convenor Lucky Raghuvanshi alleged that the same group of sculptors had previously courted controversy by dressing a goddess idol in a burqa during Navratri.

Raghuvanshi also claimed that over 50 labourers working with these sculptors are not properly verified by the police. In response, the police have begun checking documents of all artisans involved.

Khajrana Police Station in-charge Manoj Sendhav said that a meeting was held with all idol makers, advising them to ensure that no art work should hurt religious sentiments or disturb communal harmony. The police have started maintaining a register with names, addresses and ID proofs of all artisans working in the area.