Shri Ganesh idol depicted as TVK Chief Vijay sparks protests by Hindu devotees

• Sit-in agitation in Chennai by ‘Bharat Hindu Munnani’

• No action taken despite police complaint

Chennai, Tamil Nadu – Against the backdrop of Ganeshotsav, a Shri Ganesh idol was sculpted in the likeness of actor and the state’s Chief Minister, Joseph Vijay. It has emerged that this act was committed by functionaries of the ruling ‘TVK’ party.

The pro-Hindu organisation ‘Bharat Hindu Munnani’ has strongly opposed this, and the organisation’s Vice President, RTI Selvam, staged a sit-in agitation outside the ‘H-6’ Police Station on the morning of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi. On this occasion, he held a copy of the formal complaint along with a Shri Ganesh murti in his hands. Following this agitation, the police intervened and brought the situation under control. Police sources claimed that the controversial murti has been seized and secured within the premises of a private school.

#Chennai: Shri Ganesha murti depicted as TVK chief Joseph Vijay – obscene mockery of deity! Bharat Hindu Munnani lodged police complaint, no action yet.
Why only Hindu deities chosen for such disrespect in name of artistic expression? Would same be done with other faiths?

— Pandurang Dhond (@PandurangDhond7) September 16, 2026

It came to RTI Selvam’s attention that in the Karumariamman Nagar area of Korukkupet in Chennai, TVK party functionary Rajesh and other associates had denigrated Shri Ganesh by depicting the Deity in the attire and guise of the Chief Minister. In this regard, he lodged a complaint at the police station on 6 September, alleging that the religious sentiments of Hindus had been deeply hurt.

Despite the complaint being filed, the controversial Ganesh idol was installed on 11 September without obtaining police permission. In protest against this, a sit-in demonstration was staged right outside the police station on 14 September under the leadership of Shri. Selvam.

Key demands

• A complete ban must be imposed on the denigration of murtis of deities by depicting them as actors or political leaders.
• Criminal cases must be registered immediately under the law against the concerned functionaries of the ‘TVK’.
• The administration must take full responsibility to ensure that incidents hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus do not occur in the future.