Pune influencer deletes Ganeshotsav reel on Hindu-Muslim unity following social media backlash
Pune: A Pune-based content creator Atharva Sudame, who has 1.7 million Instagram followers, deleted a reel promoting social harmony ahead of Ganeshotsav after facing backlash online.
The Hindu reported that the video depicted Sudame as a devotee purchasing a Ganpati idol. A young boy wearing a skullcap delivers lunch to the idol maker, prompting an awkward silence. The idol maker subtly suggests Sudame could buy elsewhere, to which Sudame replies, “My father tells me, you should be the sugar that sweetens kheer and sheer kurma, you should be the brick that builds a temple or a mosque.” The idol maker responds that his own father always made idols with pure intent.
While many praised the reel for its message of unity, others criticised it, calling Sudame “overrated” and accusing him of misrepresenting Pune. “Atharva Sudame has created filth and will have to face consequences,” wrote a Facebook user, while supporters urged him not to remove the video.
On August 25, Sudame deleted the post and apologised, stating he had no intention of hurting religious sentiments. “We have reached a level where talk of Hindu-Muslim unity evokes violence. Yet, it is heartening that even in such an atmosphere we have people like Atharva Sudame who can and do talk about Hindu-Muslim unity,” wrote academician Apoorvanand on X.
Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar commented that such discrimination is against the Constitution.
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Man kills 12-year-old nephew over property dispute in Karnataka’s Sindhanur
Sindhanur: A 12-year-old boy was killed and his mother seriously injured after a man allegedly attacked his elder brother’s family with a knife over a property dispute in Alabanur village of Sindhanur taluk on Wednesday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Nagaraj Siddappa Alvi (12). Amrutha Siddappa (42) sustained serious injuries in the attack. Police said the accused is Basavaraj Rudrappa Alvi, the younger brother of the victim boy’s father.
According to preliminary information, Basavaraj had arrived in Alabanur village on Tuesday and was staying at his mother’s house.
On Wednesday morning, he allegedly went to the house of his brother Siddappa carrying a knife. At the time, Siddappa’s wife Amrutha and children Nagaraj and Dhanush were present in the house.
Police said the accused allegedly attacked them with the knife. Nagaraj died in the incident, while Amrutha and Dhanush suffered serious injuries.
The injured were shifted to the government hospital in the city for treatment.
Deputy Superintendent of Police G. Chandrashekhar visited the spot and gathered information.
Sources said Chinnamma Rudrappa of Alabanur village has two sons Siddappa, who lives in Alabanur, and Basavaraj, who resides in Alliganur village of Siruguppa taluk.
Police suspect the long-standing property dispute between the two brothers led to the fatal attack.
