Pune: Ganeshotsav Unity Reel Lands Influencer Atharva Sudame in Controversy
Pune, 25th August 2025: Social media influencer Atharva Sudame has drawn intense online criticism after posting a reel that promoted Hindu-Muslim harmony during Ganeshotsav 2025. What Sudame intended as a message of communal peace ended up triggering trolling, abusive remarks, and even threats, forcing him to delete the video and issue an apology.
In the now-removed clip, Sudame played a devotee buying a Ganesh idol from a sculptor’s shop. When the sculptor’s son, Abbu, enters, the sculptor appears unsure if Sudame will still purchase the idol. Sudame responds that he wants to buy it precisely from them. The reel ends with a line inspired by his father’s advice, “We should be like sugar that sweetens both kheer and sheer khurma, and like bricks that help build both temples and mosques.”
While many viewers praised the sentiment, a sizable section of social media accused him of hurting religious sentiments. The backlash escalated to the point that Sudame publicly clarified he never meant to offend anyone.
The matter intensified further when the Brahman Mahasangh stepped in. Its office-bearer Anand Dave criticized Sudame’s remarks, saying that, “He should focus on entertainment instead of commenting on sensitive religious matters. Hindus know when and from whom to purchase idols. They don’t need unsolicited advice on unity.”
The episode has split public opinion online. Supporters argue the reel carried no offensive message and that Sudame’s apology was unwarranted, while critics maintain that religious matters should not be trivialized.
