Thane Ganeshotsav Mandal creates awareness about various forms of Jihad

‘Hindu Jagruti Sarvajanik Shri Ganeshotsav Mandal’ creates awareness through displays on social and national issues

Thane, Maharashtra – Delivering the message, “Be alert… a storm is on our doorstep,” the ‘Hindu Jagruti Sarvajanik Shri Ganeshotsav Mandal’ in the Ghantali Temple area of Thane has drawn public attention to changing challenges facing society through its Ganeshotsav display this year.

For the past 35 years, the Mandal has been creating public awareness about important social and national issues through Ganeshotsav. This year’s display highlights various forms of ‘jihad’, ranging from love jihad to figital jihad, along with the adverse impact of social media, modern technology, fraud and misleading information on society. Emphasising that citizens must “wake up in time, or the consequences will be severe,” the display appeals to citizens to remain vigilant.

⚠️ Through striking visuals, lighting and videos, the tableaux highlight the dangers of social-media manipulation, fraud and misinformation.

A clear message to youth: Don’t blindly trust reels, posts or messages. Verify facts. Think before you react.

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— Sanatan Prabhat (Kannada) (@Sanatan_Prabhat) September 23, 2026

General Secretary of the Mandal, Kedar Sunil Apte explained that the core message of this year’s display is: “A storm is on our doorstep; hence, keep your eyes open and remain alert.” The Mandal has organised religious and cultural programmes from the sthapana (consecration) of Shri Ganesh until Anant Chaturdashi.

Key features of the display

1. The display illustrates how Hindu young women are deceived through love jihad, how land is systematically usurped through ‘land jihad’, how products of reputed enterprises are being halal-certified, as well as corporate jihad, digital jihad, and religious jihad.
2. The display depicts the profound effects of social media, modern technology, deception, and disinformation on society. The gravity of these subjects has been highlighted through dramatic lighting and informative video presentations.
3. The mandal has urged young people not to immediately believe reels, posts or messages on social media, but to verify their authenticity, avoid impulsive emotional reactions, and act with a sense of civic responsibility. The necessity of using social media with discretion has also been underscored.
4. The presentation emphasises the importance of informed citizenship, social unity, and the preservation of culture and tradition through the fourfold principle of “Study, Practice, Organisation, and Decisive Action” (Abhyas, Acharan, Sanghatan, and Kruti). It concludes with a call for everyone to understand current societal developments and carry out their duties as vigilant and responsible citizens.