Hyderabad: A Ganesh pandal set up in the Habeebnagar area of the city has become the epicentre of a major controversy after Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh alleged that the idol of Lord Ganesha was designed to resemble Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and is ‘hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community.'

Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh filed a complaint with the Hyderabad Police Commissioner alleging the misrepresentation of the Ganesh idol in Habeebnagar.

In his complaint, he stated that he came across a Ganesh Maharaj pandal in Habeebnagar police limits where the Ganesh idol has been made to resemble Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. This pandal has been installed by Mettu Sai Kumar, Chairman – Fisheries Federation of Telangana.

Raising objections Raja Singh urged Hyderabad CP to remove

Goshamahal legislator Raja Singh has expressed strong objection to the blending of a religious figure with a political leader, calling it a misrepresentation that undermines religious sanctity. “We understand he is the Chief Minister of Telangana, but he is not a deity for us. Such misrepresentation is hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community," wrote Raja Singh in his written complaint.

Subsequently, he urged the Hyderabad Police Department to kindly take immediate action, stop this, and remove the pandal to uphold respect for religious faiths and maintain harmony.

Meanwhile, the video of the Ganesh idol resembling Telangana CM Revanth Reddy going viral on social media and started a debate on Ganesh idol representations, with some sections opposing it.

A X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Festivals should unite people in devotion and harmony, not be overshadowed by political narratives."