With barely two days left for the Ganjesh Puja, the Orissa High Court (HC) on Monday refused to intervene in the controversy over making of ‘distorted’ idols of the deity by artisans in Cuttack. Disposing of the matter in a hearing, the HC also directed police and the local administration to put adequate security measures in place as the issue could trigger a law and order situation with local resentment prevailing.
As per reports, the row has erupted after some artisans of Kumbharsahi were reprimanded for distorting idols of Lord Ganesh instead of giving the deity a traditional appearance. The artisans had alleged that they were warned by the Puri Ghat police and asked to remove the fancy idols while giving an undertaking. Following this, one of them, Narayan Muduli, had filed a petition seeking permission to sell the idols as their business had already been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in last two years.
Advocate Ashish Kumar Mishra told reporters that the petition was disposed of because there is not much time to examine the report of the Commissionerate police over the contentious nature of the Ganesh idols. “A writ petition will be filed again to address the concerns of the artisans,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cuttack DCP Pinak Mishra warned the Puja Committees to maintain decency in idol making and decorations at the puja mandaps. “Any exceptions or deviations in idol makings that will hurt religious sentiments will invite stringent action,” he warned.