Atharv Sudame and the Ganesh Idol Video

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-08-26 18:06:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-26 20:52:51

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Explaining his intentions, Atharv Sudame, the content creator behind the Ganesh idol video, apologised for any harm caused while highlighting the cyclical nature of society's issues.

With outrage continuing to sweep across India over a video showing a Ganesh idol's torso being separated from its hips, triggering religious sensitivity, content creator Atharv Sudame deleted the clip and issued an apology.

The social media influencer claimed that the reel was meant to highlight the issue of discrimination and society's problems in general, not to hurt any religious sentiments.

The footage, shot at Kasba Peth in Pune, sparked a backlash, with some claiming that the making of the idol was disrespectful, while others defended the creativity behind it.

Speaking to media, Sudame acknowledged that though his intentions were never to hurt anyone, he understood the inadvertent impact the video could have had on viewers, which is why he removed it.

"I realise that my intention was perhaps misinterpreted and misunderstood by a section of people who have taken offence. I have immediately removed the clip as it is extremely important to me that my message reaches everyone without hurting any sentiments, especially religious," he said.

Sudame, who has over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and nearly 900,000 subscribers on YouTube, is known for creating relatable content on various social issues.

He added that his intention was to shine a light on the cyclical nature of society's response to certain issues. "We live in a society where discrimination runs deep, and certain sections of people are seen as inferior.

"There have been several atrocities against the marginalized communities. I wanted to shed light on how we, as a society, turn a blind eye to injustice and discrimination when it happens every day," he said.

As per Sudame, the intention was to send out a message of social harmony, not to hurt anyone's feelings, adding that he is a "firm believer in the fact that religion is the most important thing that binds us all, and we should never divide ourselves on these lines."

The controversy comes amid increased concerns over the government's handling of religious issues and protecting religious sentiments.

Several states have enacted strict laws to prevent "insult" to religious beliefs and sentiments, with critics arguing these are often misused to suppress dissent or throttle free expression.

Many believe that while one's faith must be respected, providing exemptions or undertaking laws on the basis of religious sentiment can lead to a slippery slope and result in unintended consequences.

As debates continue to rage, Sudame's apology is a reminder of the power and impact of today's social media ecosystem and the responsibilities that come with it.

It highlights how crucial it is to maintain a dialogue with stakeholders, even with those who may find issue with our beliefs and values.

Go!