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Maharashtra: Facing online backlash, including from Brahmin group, content creator deletes video promoting religious harmony, apologises

In the now-deleted reel, Sudame was shown walking into a Ganpati idol shop to buy an idol and selects one he wants to purchase. The shopkeeper’s son then walks in with a skullcap, revealing that the shop belongs to a Muslim family

Marathi content creator Atharva Sudame's latest reel on religious unity before the Ganapati festival has made him the target of certain groups. (Facebook)

Marathi content creator Atharva Sudame deleted a reel promoting religious harmony and pluralism following backlash on social media. Anand Dave of the Brahmin group Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Mahasangh also opposed the video. Sudame later put out an apology video saying he did not intend to hurt sentiments and that he had previously created multiple reels on Hindu festivals, Marathi culture and Marathi language. Dr Hamid Dabholkar of the Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) opposed the hate directed towards Sudame by saying that taking down the reel was a sign of an intolerant society.

In the now-deleted reel, Sudame was shown walking into a Ganpati idol shop to buy an idol and selects one he wants to purchase. The shopkeeper’s son then walks in with a skullcap, revealing that the shop belongs to a Muslim family. The shopkeeper says that Sudame could buy an idol from any other shop if he wished. However Sudame buys the idol from him saying, “While making the Ganpati you had good intentions in your heart, right? My father says we should be like sugar that sweetens both shev kheer as well as sheer khurma, like a brick that makes both a mandir and a masjid, like a flower that is used in a garland as well as a chaddar (holy sheet) as well.”

Objecting to the reel, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Mahasangh Anand Dave said in a video, “In a viral video Hindu-Muslim unity is being taught. The only thing we want to tell you (Sudame) is that you make people laugh and fill your belly. There is no need to speak on other issues where you have no expertise… Hindu-Muslim unity, how to buy Ganpati idols are not your topics. You do not need to focus on them. Hindus know what to buy and from whom to buy.”

Similarly, an X account, @paakittadnya, posted, “Marathi Reelstar Atharv Sudame posted this video on Instagram and deleted within a couple of hours due to backlash. Gen Z is being brainwashed by such influencers and the influencers are nurtured and promoted by the language chauvinist lobby. Beware.”

Dr Hamid Dabholkar of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) opposed the hate directed towards Sudame by saying that taking down the reel was a sign of an intolerant society. “Respecting each other’s religion and participating in each other’s religious activities are age-old traditions in this country. The… withdrawal of a reel promoting these values is a sign of how intolerant we are becoming in the name of religion. It’s high time that we as a community stop supporting such polarising activities and stand firmly behind the culture of religious harmony,” he said.

City-based lawyer and activist Asim Sarode wrote on Facebook, “…Such attacks on freedom of expression should be firmly repelled… now that some religious fanatics are threatening Atharva, I have just spoken to Raj Saheb that he and MNS should stand with Atharva. Atharva should re-upload that video. Let’s see who does what.”
Sudame could not be reached for a comment.

Soham Shah

Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Background Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune. Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories: 1. Investigations & Governance "Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents. "44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education & Campus Life Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. "Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial. "Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers. 3. Human Rights & Social Issues "Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India. "'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying. Signature Style Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More

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