Puri: Puri’s Jagannath temple authorities on Monday filed a police complaint against a social media account for allegedly spreading AI-generated photos and videos of Lord Jagannath, causing widespread anger among devotees.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Authority (SJTA) has filed a complaint at the Sinhadwar Police Station against an account named ‘vishvrajcreation’ for allegedly posting objectionable and fabricated visuals on the divine social media platform.
“We have noticed that unacceptable AI-generated photos and videos of Lord Jagannath have been posted on social media. These objectionable photos and videos are being spread by a person using the handle ‘vishvrajcreation’,” SJTA said in a statement.
According to the complaint filed by the temple administration’s special security officer, the AI-generated content hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and caused resentment.
One of the videos shows a crane pouring milk on Lord Jagannath in front of the Puri temple, but Jagannath culture researcher Bhaskar Mishra said this was a completely fabricated and unrealistic depiction with no basis in the temple’s traditions.
Mishra said the fake visuals had deeply hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath’s devotees.
According to temple officials, although there have been cases in the past where videos inside temples have been taken and disseminated without permission, this is the first time that artificial intelligence has been used to create content that defames the deity.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Management Committee (SJTMC), the highest decision-making body for the 12th-century temple, recently decided to amend provisions in the law that would make such activities illegal and punishable.
P.T.I.
