After a petition was filed by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Maha Sabha asking for a ban on the use of deities’ pictures on firecrackers, the District Revenue Office (DRO) in Chennai has sent out a notice to fireworks manufacturers warning them against using images of Hindu deities, according to The New Indian Express report.

K Rajasekar, the State president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Maha Sabha had filed a petition to V Rajaraman on September 29 seeking a ban on the use of pictures on the firecrackers.

The petitioner claims that because firework manufacturers in Sivakasi use pictures of deities, when the celebrations end, the pictures are lying on the ground and are stepped on by people.

The DRO sent a circular to both Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (TANFAMA) and to the Small Fireworks Association asking them to not to use pictures of deities.

Both TANFAMA and the Small Fireworks Association have said that they won’t be using the pictures.

G Vinayaga Moorthy, Small Fireworks Association President told NIE, “We are considering the circular send to us by the DRO and will not be using the deity pictures in future.”

G Abiruben, TANFAMA President said that there is already a Supreme Court ruling that deity pictures should not be used and they will be following the rules. However, he said that the industry has been using the pictures of deity since 1924.