Ganesh idol setup in Telangana sparks row over ‘Muslim-like’ appearance

An annual Ganpati festival organised in Telangana’s Secunderabad became the centre of a controversy over allegations that the deity’s idol had a ‘Muslim-like’ appearance. The organisers clarified that the theme of the Ganpati pandal was inspired by the Bollywood film ‘Bajirao Mastani’, which led to the misunderstanding.
The row erupted over the dress of the Ganesh idol by the Young Leo’s Youth Association, which drew inspiration from the attire worn by actor Ranveer Singh in Bajirao Mastani. The resemblance, however, was not well-received by certain groups who found the representation inappropriate.

The outrage spread quickly online, with some accusing the organisers of hurting their religious sentiments. Another section on social media called the theme an expression of secularism.
In response, one of the organisers clarified the intent behind the theme, explaining that the final outcome did not align with their vision.
“We didn’t deliberately choose a Bajirao Mastani theme. Unfortunately, the way things unfolded led to misunderstandings. Our goal was never to hurt anyone’s feelings,” a member of the organising committee explained.
Organisers also expressed disappointment over the backlash on social media, attributing the confusion to miscommunication with the artist responsible for the design.
Despite the uproar, the Young Leo’s Youth Association intended to continue the festivities peacefully and urged the public to not misinterpret their intentions. “We just want to move forward with our celebration of Ganpati Bappa. The execution wasn’t what we expected, but we don’t wish to escalate the situation,” the committee member said.