Strange are the ways of social media these days. Anything and everything can be made controversial with social media posts, without even bothering to cross check the factual position.
Take for example, how social media users have sought to kick up controversy make even Ugadi celebrations at the residence of Telugu Desam Party general secretary and Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh on Thursday.
Lokesh conducted Ugadi rituals at his residence along with his family. He later shared photographs from the celebrations on social media, including a picture with his son, Devansh.
In a post, Lokesh wrote, “Celebrating Ugadi with my champ,” and extended festive wishes, expressing hope that the new year would be filled with joyful moments and free from bitterness.
He also added a lighter note, stating that he would set aside his strict diet for the day to enjoy traditional festive dishes.
However, the celebrations sparked an unexpected controversy after one of the photographs drew attention online. Observers noticed a small figurine placed alongside images of deities in the puja oom.
Some social media users questioned the presence of the object, with a few alleging that it resembled an item associated with occult practices.
Several posts on social media criticised the placement of some dolls in the sacred puja room, with users questioning its significance and appropriateness. Some even made allegations linking it to “occult puja” (chetabadi) practices.
One netizen asked: “Why is that doll, normally used for black magic practices, placed in your puja room, Govinda…? After all, puja room is a sacred place and why have you kept such dolls there, Nara Lokesh? What message do you want to send to the people with such pictures?”
Another social media user quipped: “Lokesh performing black magic?” while, another person tweeted: “Ludo Player caught with black magic doll in his house.”
One more tweet said: “Why have you kept such dolls used in occult worships, Mr Lokesh Bhai?”
Responding to the criticism, Lokesh issued a clarification on social media.
He explained that the figurine was a handmade idol of Lord Shiva and a small Shivling crafted by his son Devansh when he was four years old.
“For those curious about the dolls in the puja room… It’s a Lord Shiva doll and little Shivling handmade by Devaansh when he was just 4. He’s tiny Shiva Bhakt in the making. We kept it in the Puja room as a memory! Some understand faith. Some don’t. But devotion like this needs no explanation. #HarHarMahadev” Lokesh tweeted.
