National Geographic 2012 winner, disqualified

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 Harry Fisch photograph "Preparing the prayers at the Ganges," has been chosen as the winner of the Places category for the 2012 National Geographic Photo Contest.
The picture was  later  disqualified as the organisation considered that the digital  removal of a bag on the right side of the frame was  in direct violation of the contest rules.
In words of National Geographic Senior Photo Editor , Monica C.Corocoran:
"..it is unfortunate you did not crop the bag out or just leave it in, as it really had no impact either way. But digitally removing anything from a photo is in direct violation of the contest and we must follow our own rules... "