Puri: A detailed investigation has been launched by Puri Police against an online platform for allegedly selling women’s apparel with images of Lord Jagannath and Rath Yatra chariots portrayed in a disrespectful manner.
The designs triggered outrage among servitors and devotees who alleged gross misuse of of sacred symbols.
A senior official of Singhadwar Police Station said that details about the e-commerce platform are being gathered as part of the probe. Police will issue a notice to its owner to appear for questioning, he said.
Sources said the action followed a complaint lodged by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) with the temple police on Saturday. Based on the complaint, a case has been registered under Section 299 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (hurting religious feelings).
According to the complaint filed by SJTA’s officer on special duty (security), Hemanta Kumar Padhi, the online company hurt devotees’ sentiments by advertising sarees and clothes featuring images of Lord Jagannath and chariots in a manner that appeared disrespectful.
“The depiction of deities on sarees in such a way that the images touch the feet of women wearing them has deeply offended devotees,” TOI quoted the complaint as saying.
