Interviewtimes 
On Monday, the Orissa High Court ruled against the PIL seeking intervention against police action to block the construction and sale of certain idols for Ganesh Chaturthi, scheduled on August 31.
Cuttack’s Narayan Muduli, a resident of Silpi Kumhar Sahi, filed his PIL on 26 August. When the petition was filed, Additional Government Attorney (AGA) DK Mohanty filed with the court a written order received from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
The memo stated that the police had received information from the public and the media about the idols created by the petitioners by distorting the sacred image of Lord Ganesha and offending the religious feelings of the devotees. When photos and video footage of such idols apparently went viral, police feared that it could lead to unwanted incidents.
The petitioner and two other sculptors were summoned to the police station.
Applicant’s attorney, Asish Kumar Mishra, challenged Applicant’s portrayal of idols and sought to justify his right to continue making such idols and selling them to customers.
However, the bench said that the situation faced by the police is a law and order situation as such idols are displayed in public. So that it do not arouse local animosity, and does not create an out-of-control law and order situation.
Following the High Court’s order, the Cuttack Police urged craftsmen and puja organizers not to sell or install distorted idols.
