Mangaluru: A vector image of an angry Hanuman, which went viral after it was first created in 2015 by artist Karan Acharya, a native of Kumble in Kasargod, got a special mention in the Prime Minister’s speech at Nehru Maidan in the city on Saturday, May 5.

This particular image, had been created by Acharya after a local youth club requested him to design something for the flags used during the Ganesha festival. The image did not remain limited to the flags however, becoming a craze among the people and could be seen on smartphones, T shirts and vehicle windshields across the country. It however, was no stranger to backlash as it received sharp criticism from certain sections of the society, who viewed the image as a symbol of ‘Hindutva hyper-masculinity’.

Speaking at the rally here, Modi lauded Acharya’s rendition of the Hindu deity, while claiming that the opposition to this particular artwork was proof of the intolerance of the Congress.

“I want to applaud artist Karan Acharya, whose Hanuman portrait has captured the imagination of people across India. This is a laudable achievement and is the power of his achievement, talent and imagination. This is the pride of Mangaluru. All TV channels queued up for his interview,” said Modi.

In Kerala, several people supported a call given by writer-activist Devika to boycott any person or object that flaunts the image, including autorickshaws and cabs, while others said that the boycott was against the basic tenets of the freedom of expression.

Attacking the Congress over the intolerance Modi said, “The Congress’ ecosystem doesn’t even tolerate the magnificent art of Karan Acharya whose Hanuman captured the imagination of the entire country. Unable to digest its success, the Congress tried miring it in controversy. There is no iota of democracy in the minds of the Congress members.”