Mumbai: As Maharashtra celebrates Ganeshotsav with devotion and grandeur, a controversy has emerged over a viral reel video, posted by Pune content creator Atharva Sudame, showing him posing as a devotee purchasing a Ganesh idol from a Muslim vendor. The video, initially shared to spread a message of harmony, quickly went viral but soon drew a wave of trolling, forcing the devotee to delete it from social media.
The incident sparked debate over religious sensitivities during the festival, with concerns being raised about whether such actions were being unnecessarily politicised. Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar weighed in on the matter during an interview with a Marathi news channel.
मुस्लिमांकडून गणेश मूर्ती घेण्याविषयी सरकारची भूमिका ऎका,
— Shekhar (@Shekharcoool5) August 25, 2025
अथर्व बिचारा फुकटच्या शिव्या खातोय. pic.twitter.com/oB46hwVIAe
Shelar clarified that the government’s position is firmly rooted in the principles of the Constitution, which upholds equality and prohibits discrimination. He stressed that no one should provoke or offend sentiments on the basis of caste, religion, language or gender. He added that balance and restraint were necessary on both sides, cautioning against unnecessary provocation.
Shelar Dismisses Suggestions Of Not Buying Idols From Muslim Artisans
The minister also dismissed suggestions that people should refrain from buying idols from Muslim artisans. “Such a stand is neither the government’s view nor can it ever be. It is not in the Constitution,” Shelar said, adding that artisans of all communities contribute to the making of Ganesh idols, and buyers should be free to make their choices without pressure.
At the same time, he noted that responsibility lies equally with those making purchases and those objecting to them. He remarked that buying an idol from a particular artisan should not be a matter of dispute, while those opposed to it should also consider whether their objections were necessary in the first place.
Pune Content Creator Atharva Sudame Faces Backlash Over Viral Reel Ahead Of Ganeshotsav 2025, Issues ApologyInfluencer Atharva Sudame Faces Backlash Over Ganeshotsav Reel
Social media influencer Atharva Sudame, widely followed for his Pune-themed reels, found himself at the centre of controversy after one of his recent videos sparked outrage ahead of Ganeshotsav.
Marathi Reelstar Atharv Sudame posted this video on Instagram and deleted within a couple of hours due to backlash.
— पाकीट तज्ञ (@paakittadnya) August 25, 2025
Gen Z is being brainwashed by such influencers and the influencers are nurtured and promoted by the language chauvinist lobby.
Beware.pic.twitter.com/lpXmbJUO1l
अथर्व सुदामे ने जी काही घाण केली आहे काल, त्याचे परीणाम त्याला आयुष्यभर भोगावे लागणार आहेत.हा ओव्हर रेटेड सोशल मीडिया कलाकार मला कधीच आवडला नाही, आमच्या पुण्याची फार चुकीची ओळख करून दिली रीलच्या माध्यमातून.!!
Posted by Jaysing Mohan on Sunday, August 24, 2025
The backlash gained momentum after a Facebook page named Jaysing Mohan published a post targeting the influencer. The post alleged that Sudame was spreading filth through his reel and warned that he would have to bear its consequences for life. It also dismissed him as an overrated artist who portrays Pune in a poor light. The viral post, which included Sudame’s video, drew several sharp reactions and pushed the controversy into the spotlight.
माफीच्या video मधे हिंदूंवर त्यांच्या स्वतःच्या सणांबद्दल अपराधबोध लादल्याचा कोणताही पश्चात्ताप नाही
— Wrong Number (@Anglo_Saxon_) August 25, 2025
इतिहास आणि वर्तमानात पुरेशी दाखले आहेत, की धार्मिक असहिष्णुता नेहमी कुठल्या बाजू ने दाखवली आहे
मात्र अथर्व सुदामे सारख्यांना वाटतं कि हिंदूंनीच सर्व धर्म समभावचे ओझे व्हायला हवे https://t.co/jX7tXfFWGs pic.twitter.com/3gd6TNfTrh
Sudame Deletes Controversial Reel, Issues Apology After Backlash
Amid the growing uproar, Sudame took to Instagram to issue a clarification. In a video shared on his story, he apologised to his followers and stressed that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments. Sudame revealed that he had voluntarily deleted the controversial reel earlier in the day, acknowledging the criticism but maintaining that his intention was never to disrespect Pune or its cultural identity.
