Collector’s idol kicks up furore
On the occasion of Vinayaka Chavithi festival, many idols were noted as they looked like film stars or politicians. However, in Warangal, a youth association who are fans of Warangal Urban Collector Amrapali Kata got an idol made to look like her with 'Balaganesha' in her lap. The incident took place in Bapuji Colony in Kazipet.
The collector is known as a dynamic official and was recognised as a youth icon because of her interactive sessions with students. Several fan pages of her can be seen on social networking sites like Facebook.
The photo of the idol was uploaded on social media on Friday, garnered mixed reactions and soon became a sensation that it became the talk of the town. While some appreciated it as a rare gesture others called it crazy and said it is no way to express appreciation of a bureaucrat.
Some Hindu communities opposed the portrayal of Amrapali as goddess Parvathi. The issue was also aired on news channels. With the matter escalating into a communal issue the police swung into action and visited the idol.
Scared at the developments the youths decided to abandon their idea of installing this idol and painted the face of the statue black. Netizens who saw the photo called it madness for putting the dignity of an IAS officer at stake. One Rama Rathod commented that it was against Hindu Dharma. “While people from other countries are respecting our culture people like this are tarnishing its image. This madness must end,” he commented.
Collector Amrapali who expressed shock over the incident.