Police debunk ‘24-karat gold-plated’ Ganesh idol claims in Hyderabad’s Goshamahal
Hyderabad police have debunked viral social media claims that a local Ganesh idol was made of gold and studded with hundreds of thousands of diamonds. Authorities stated the misinformation was spread by organizers to promote a commercial jewelry business and warned the public against sharing unverified content.
Why it matters
This incident illustrates the impact of social media misinformation on public perception and the potential for commercial entities to exploit religious festivals for profit.
Claims circulating on social media that the ‘Lee Chee Ka Raja Ganesh – 2026’ idol in Goshamahal, Hyderabad, was made of Panchaloha, plated with 24-karat gold and studded with nearly 3.84 lakh American diamonds are false and misleading, Goshamahal police said on Thursday (September 17, 2026).
The clarification came after photographs, videos and messages about the idol were widely shared on social media. The posts claimed that the idol weighed around 48 kg, was crafted from five metals, had a 24-karat gold-plated finish and was studded with 3,83,800 American diamonds.
The police said the idol was not made using the materials or in the manner claimed in the posts. They particularly rejected the repeatedly circulated claim that it had been plated with 24-karat gold.
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