Arabic-style biryani for Lord Ganesha; shop owner arrested over controversial banner

CHENNAI: A banner put up outside a biryani shop in Tirunelveli for Vinayaka Chaturthi has landed its owner in trouble. The banner showed Lord Ganesha eating chicken biryani and announced a special offer of “Arabic-style 65 biryani” for Rs 99. The shop owner, Jayanth (30), was later arrested by the police following a complaint that the depiction hurt religious sentiments.

The banner, put up outside Jayanth’s biryani shop, said the offer was available only on Sunday and Monday as part of the Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.

Selvaraj, a man who noticed the banner, lodged a complaint alleging that Lord Ganesha had been depicted in an objectionable manner. The incident took place amid Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations in the state.

The image of the banner was widely circulated on social media, following which the complaint was lodged with the police. Police launched an investigation, took Jayanth into custody and subsequently arrested him.

Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations were held on a large scale across Tamil Nadu. In Chennai alone, 5,501 Lord Ganesha idols have been installed in public places. The immersion processions for the idols will be held on September 19 and 20.