Puri Jagannath temple files police complaint over viral AI-generated images of deity

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has lodged a police complaint against a social media account for circulating artificial intelligence-generated images and videos of Lord Jagannath, which went viral and triggered widespread outrage among devotees.

The complaint was filed on Monday at the Singhadwar police station against an account operating under the name ‘vishvrajcreation’ . Temple authorities alleged that the account shared fabricated and objectionable visuals portraying the deity in ways that violate established religious traditions and have deeply hurt public sentiments.

In a statement, the SJTA said it had taken serious note of “unacceptable AI-generated photos and videos” being circulated online, warning that such content risks misleading the public while undermining the sanctity of the 12th-century shrine. The complaint was lodged by the temple administration’s Special Security Officer.

One of the widely circulated videos depicts milk being poured over Lord Jagannath using a crane in front of the Puri temple , a scene that temple scholars and officials say has no basis in Jagannath rituals or cultural practices. Jagannath culture researcher Bhaskar Mishra described the visuals as entirely fabricated and said they had caused deep emotional distress among devotees.

Temple officials said while there have been past cases of unauthorised photography and circulation of visuals from within the shrine, this incident marks the first known instance where artificial intelligence has been used to create synthetic content that dishonours the deity.

The episode has also reignited concerns over the growing misuse of deepfakes and AI-generated religious content, which authorities fear could disturb social harmony and disrupt public order. Officials noted that synthetic media, when presented as authentic, can inflame emotions, spread misinformation rapidly and provoke unrest, particularly in a society where faith and cultural traditions are deeply rooted.

In response, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), the apex decision-making body of the shrine, has decided to amend existing legal provisions to explicitly criminalise the creation and circulation of fabricated or AI-generated visuals that misrepresent the deity. The proposed changes aim to introduce punitive measures to deter future misuse of emerging technologies that could threaten religious harmony.

Police said they are examining the complaint and monitoring the spread of the content on social media platforms as part of their investigation.