Four days ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Pollution Control Board in Tamil Nadu seals idol-making unit of Hindu artisans
Karur, Tamil Nadu, India 
14 September, 2023
Case Summary
With merely 4 days to go before Ganesh Chaturthi, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu sealed the idol-making unit of Hindu artisans. The arbitrary action was taken by the Pollution Control Board (PCB) against the artisan's unit situated in the Sungagate area in Karur. The crackdown on the Hindu idol makers comes just days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the “eradication of Sanatan Dharma”. Videos that went viral, showed state officials sealing the idol-making unit even as women artisans pleaded with them to not hurt their source of income. While being questioned about the incident by the local media, the artisan said, “We have been making Ganesh idols for 10 years. We use chalkpiece powder to make the idols. It dissolves in water. Officers came saw the samples. They said the idols are not in good quality. They saw before two days. The paint in the powder is water paint. They sealed our shed. There is not chemical mix. No external mix, no oil paint colours too. It is normal water paint.” “About 160 to 170 idols are here. I have availed a loan for interest and invested Rs 10 lakh. I have borrowed from relatives and friends. Have to pay balance amount for food too,” he added. Nearly 400 Ganesh idols have been sealed by the PCB along with officials from the revenue department and the police following a surprise visit. The sleuths cited a complaint as grounds for the visit that plaster of Paris (PoP) was allegedly being used in violation of regulations.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
Here, the DMK government, known for being anti-Hindu, very strategically clamped down on the idol-making unit of Hindu artisans. This was done merely four days ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. The timing of the sealing is crucial here, as it directly impacts the Hindu artisans' ability to earn a living during the most critical period of their business cycle. Further, the administration selectively targeted business units of Hindu artisans. Similar units or businesses in the area were not subjected to the same scrutiny or actions. This proves that this action was indeed a targeted discrimination against a specific community, that is Hindus. Another important aspect is that Idol worship, or murti puja, is a central practice in Hinduism, deeply rooted in the religion's traditions and theology. Festivals like Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Navaratri revolve around the worship of idols and the DMK government's action of clamping down on the production of idols just before Ganesh Chaturthi, can be seen as an interference with religious and cultural practices of the Hindus. There is a strong suspicion that such arbitrary actions taken against Hindus are prejudicial to the rights of Hindus and stem from animosity and prejudice against Hindu beliefs. However, it is also possible that the administration sealed the idol making shops because of some genuine violation of regulations. Giving that benefit of doubt, the case is being added to the undecided database.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
State and Establishment
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
