Goddess Durga on elephant, CJM orders case against guilty

Jaunpur, Oct 6 (UNI) Taking strict note of the hurt caused to religious sentiments of worshippers by showcasing Goddess Durga astride an 'elephant' rather than the customary 'lion', a Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court today ordered registration of a case against Maa Durga Puja Committee organisers here.

CJM Ramkesh Singh has directed the Kotwali police to register a case against Puja Committee chairman Suresh Tiwari, conservator Mahendra Sonkar, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Nagar Palika Parishad Chairman, Dinesh Tandon for hurting the religious sentiments of a large number of devotees by their act.

One advocate Arvind Kumar Singh had lodged an application with the CJM, demanding an FIR in this connection. ''The move is a blatant act of publicity stunt by the ruling BSP as tusker happens to be the party's election symbol,'' the complaint had stated.

Contrarily, the Puja Committee chairman said they had depicted the Goddess in such manner according to a religious calendar, which said that this year the Goddess would come on an elephant rather than a lion.

The incident had come to light at a 'pandal' set up in Phalwali Gali during the ongoing Navratra bestivities in the district.

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