Bhubaneswar: In the run-up to the Rath Yatra, Puri Police on Friday removed 97 AI-generated images that falsely depicted the deities of the Jagannath Temple as being unwell.
The action was taken after several digitally created visuals surfaced on social media showing the deities with thermometers in their mouths and wet cloth strips placed on their foreheads, triggering widespread outrage among devotees.
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said such distorted depictions of the deities would not be tolerated. He warned that strict legal action would be initiated if the circulation of such content continued.
“We have facilitated the removal of a large number of disrespectful photos and videos of the sibling deities from various social media platforms. If this practice continues, we will initiate legal action,” Singh said.
Following the traditional ritual of Debasnana Purnima earlier this week, the idols were ceremonially bathed and, as per custom, kept in seclusion at the ‘Anasara Ghara’, a symbolic sick chamber inside the shrine. During this period, the deities are believed to be in a state of rest and recuperation for a fortnight.
Servitor Shayama Mohapatra said the AI-generated visuals were deeply hurtful to devotees and distorted sacred traditions. “Digitally created visuals showing the deities as ill have flooded social media. Such distortions trivialise sacred traditions and have deeply hurt devotees’ sentiments,” he said.
Police officials added that monitoring of such content on social media platforms will continue, and necessary action will be taken against offenders.
