TV
Creating a social media reel by painting Lord Jagannath's image on a turtle has resulted in serious consequences for two youths from Odisha. The act, which violated wildlife protection laws, led to their arrest on Tuesday after the video went viral on social media.
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According to sources, an attempt to gain social media attention proved costly for two young men from Bargarh district, Odisha, after they were arrested for painting Lord Jagannath’s image on the shell of a turtle and posting the video as a reel.
The two arrested individuals—Ashish Meher and Abinash Bagarti from Bijepur locality—had created a video during the Bahuda Yatra. In the video, they are seen holding an Indian Flap Shell Turtle, painting the image of Lord Jagannath on its back with colours, and then releasing it into the water.
Once the video went viral on social media, forest officials took action, citing a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. Both youths were arrested and produced in court by the Forest Department. Bargarh DFO Bikramdev Pattnaik confirmed the action.
Earlier, Snake Helpline general secretary Subhendu Mallick had also filed a formal complaint with the State Chief Wildlife Warden, demanding strict action against the duo for harming a protected species and misusing religious imagery.
“Two youths from Bijepur had painted Lord Jagannath’s image on a turtle and subsequently released the protected species into water. They had also captured a video of the act and posted the same on social media,” the Bargarh DFO said.
“After it came to our knowledge, we immediately ordered our Ghens Range officer to swing into action and arrest the accused persons,” the senior forest official added.
Reported By: Dharmadatta
