New Delhi: An annual Ganpati festival in Secunderabad, Telangana, has become embroiled in controversy due to allegations that the deitys idol resembled a Muslim-like figure. The dispute centers around the theme and attire of the Ganesh idol, which was inspired by the Bollywood film Bajirao Mastani. The Young Leos Youth Association, responsible for organizing the festival, has faced criticism from various groups who found the representation objectionable.Bajirao Mastani themedThe controversy erupted over the idols dress, which mirrored the attire worn by actor Ranveer Singh in the film. This choice, intended to be a thematic nod to the movie, was not well-received by some who viewed it as inappropriate. The backlash intensified on social media, with accusations of the organizers offending religious sentiments. Conversely, others defended the theme as a symbol of secularism.Somewhere in Hyderabad they have depicted Lord Ganesh as a Muslim. Look at the sherwani and TopiIts better not to celebrate the festival then to mock the religion by secularising/islamising its core aspectsStop this stupidity now!!pic.twitter.com/CH07Dyl9r3— Ninda Turtle (@NindaTurtles) September 15, 2024However, the final presentation did not match the organizers original vision, leading to a misunderstanding among the public. The committee member expressed regret that the execution diverged from their intent, which was to honor Ganpati in a manner that was respectful and engaging. We didnt deliberately choose a Bajirao Mastani theme. Unfortunately, the way things unfolded led to misunderstandings. Our goal was never to hurt anyones feelings, the committee member stated.Confusion surfaced around themeThe confusion arose from a combination of factors, including the artists interpretation of the theme and how it was perceived by attendees and social media users. The committee has stressed that their primary aim was to celebrate Ganpati in a festive and inclusive manner, without causing any offense.The organizers expressed disappointment over the social media backlash and attributed the confusion to a miscommunication with the artist who designed the idol. Despite the controversy, the Young Leos Youth Association remains committed to celebrating Ganpati Bappa peacefully. They have urged the public to understand their intentions and not to escalate the situation further. We just want to move forward with our celebration of Ganpati Bappa. The execution wasnt what we expected, but we dont wish to escalate the situation, the committee member added.
