Joseph Vijay-Themed Ganesh Idols Spark Political Row In Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu BJP demands removal of a Vinayagar idol resembling CM Vijay installed for Ganesh Chaturthi, with a police complaint already filed against the sculptor

PGurus Newsdesk

September 15, 2026

A Vinayaka Chaturthi idol resembling CM Vijay has sparked a political row in Tamil Nadu, with the BJP demanding criminal action.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran demanded the idol’s immediate removal, calling it an offence to religious sentiments

A Ganesh idol installed in Chennai’s Korukkupet area for Vinayaka Chaturthi, allegedly modelled to resemble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay, has triggered a political controversy. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran demanded the idol’s immediate removal on Tuesday, calling the display offensive to devotees’ religious sentiments.

The BJP’s Objection

Nagenthran said the idol had been set up as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations, with features altered to resemble the Chief Minister — a move he described as using a religious festival to promote an individual and push a political message. He argued that Vinayagar, worshipped by crores of people across the country, should not have his image altered for political publicity or to glorify any leader, saying such depictions diminish the sanctity of religious worship and cause genuine hurt to devotees.

He went further, demanding criminal action against those responsible and calling for the idol’s removal without delay. Nagenthran also criticised Vijay directly for not condemning the installation once it came to public attention, arguing the government bears responsibility for ensuring festivals are observed in ways that respect established tradition and the beliefs of worshippers. Political parties and their supporters, he said, should steer clear of linking deities to contemporary political figures altogether, warning that allowing such displays risks setting an unhealthy precedent for future events.

Police Already Involved

Separately, a police complaint has already been filed against the sculptor responsible for the idol — reportedly a fan of Vijay — after images of the Vijay-resembling Ganesh idols circulated online. Officials have since directed the sculptor to remove the idols.

The Bigger Picture

The episode lands in an already charged political environment in Tamil Nadu, where TVK’s rise to power has kept the party under close watch from rival parties looking for any misstep to seize on. Whether this particular row escalates further will likely depend on how quickly the idols are taken down and whether the state government issues any formal response of its own.

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