Puri Police have removed 97 AI-generated images from social media that falsely showed the deities of the Jagannath Temple as being ill. The action comes ahead of the annual Rath Yatra festival after the images sparked strong reactions from devotees.
The digitally created visuals showed the deities with thermometers in their mouths and wet cloths on their foreheads. Many people described the images as disrespectful and offensive to religious sentiments.
Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said police will not tolerate such misleading and insensitive content. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone who continues to create or circulate such images.
The controversy follows the Debasnana Purnima ritual, after which the deities are traditionally kept in the Anasara Ghara for about two weeks. According to temple customs, this period symbolically represents the deities resting after the ceremonial bath.
Temple servitor Shayama Mohapatra said the AI-generated images distorted sacred traditions and hurt the feelings of devotees. Police have confirmed that social media platforms will continue to be monitored, and action will be taken against those sharing objectionable content.