Modi's Shastra Puja

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi participates in a <i>Shastra Puja</I> or weapon worshipping ceremony to mark Dussehra at his residence in Gandhinagar, 30 km from Ahmedabad, on September 28, 2009. Earlier Modi performed <I>Shastra Puja</i> of these weapons belonging to the elite National Security Guards and the guards engaged with his security. (AFP Photo)

Security officials engaged in Narendra Modi's security participate in a Shastra Puja. The deities at this ceremony: machine guns, AK series rifles, swords, axes. Even a primitive club or two. (AFP Photo)

Narendra Modi's Shastra Puja threatens to launch him into a brand-new controversy. Shastra puja is usually performed on the last day of Navratra, known as Vijay Dashami. The chief minister's security and senior police officers stood by, unarmed since their guns were reportedly a part of the puja. (AFP Photo)

Gujarat State Police Director General Shabbir Hussain Shekhadam Khandwawala also participated in the ceremony. (AFP Photo)

Shastra Puja is usually offered by those who traditionally carry weapons like soldiers and policemen.  But since Modi is a civilian, some questions are being raised about how appropriate the ceremony was. Those upset allegedly include senior National Security Guard personnel, who point out that at no point should their men be required to hand over their arms to anyone. (NDTV Photo)