On Bajrang Dal complaint, three artisans booked in Indore for creating 'objectionable' Ganesh idols

Indore: Three artisans were booked in Indore in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly creating "objectionable" Ganesh idols for upcoming festivities, police officials said on Monday.

The three idol makers were identified as Chandranath Pal, Ratanlal Pal and Raju Pal, who were held under section 299 (deliberate act intended to outrage religious feelings) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint lodged by a Bajrang Dal activist at Khajrana police station, they added.

The three make idols on demand at a facility near Bengali Square, the officials said.

"The Bajrang Dal worker's complaint claimed objectionable idols of Lord Ganesh were being made in Khajrana area on the demand of some customers. We immediately registered an FIR against the three sculptors. Preventive action is also underway," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amrendra Singh told reporters.

The administration will hold a meeting with all idol makers in the city to ensure there is no rerun of such incidents, the Additional DCP said.

Videos circulated on social media showed some people blackening the face of the accused outside a police office.

"Members of the Hindu community blackened their faces to protest against the creation of such idols. One idol showed Lord Ganesh walking the ramp, while another showed the elephant-headed god lifting a woman in his arms," said Bajrang Dal district convener Lucky Raghuvanshi.

"The accused hail from West Bengal and are traditional idol makers. They may have crossed boundaries in an attempt at artistic innovation, thereby hurting religious sentiments. We are conducting a detailed investigation," Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Amit Singh said.

Sculptor Atul Pal, who works with the accused, said these idols were ordered by customers from adjoining Dewas district after having got the idea from images on social media.

Following objections from Bajrang Dal, the customers cancelled their orders, Pal added.