Telangana police lathi-charge Hindu protesters at Muthyalamma Devi temple in Hyderabad.

Police resort to lathi charge on protestors at Shri Muthyalamma Devi Temple in Hyderabad in Telangana.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a statewide protest in response to the Telangana government’s perceived indifference towards Hindu temples. Activists gathered in front of the temple, waving saffron flags to express their discontent.

B Upendran | HENB | Hyderabad | Oct 19, 2024:: Telangana Police lathi-charged protestors at the Shri Muthyalamma Devi Temple in Hyderabad on Saturday, where a large crowd had gathered to protest the alleged vandalism of the temple idol. This incident was part of a larger wave of protests sparked by the vandalism of Hindu temples in Telangana, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal calling for a statewide ‘bandh’.

The protests were mainly driven by concerns over the safety of Hindu temples in the state, following two separate incidents of vandalism involving Hindu idols. The first incident involved the vandalism of a Durga idol at a Puja pandal at Nampally Exhibition Grounds, while the second incident targeted the Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad’s Mandal division.

Authorities intervened to disperse the crowd as tensions escalated at the Shri Muthyalamma Devi Temple protest. Despite efforts to calm the demonstrators, the gathering remained defiant, prompting police to employ lathi charge to restore order. Several protestors reportedly sustained injuries, though the exact number remains unconfirmed.

The protest was sparked by allegations of vandalism targeting the temple’s idol, igniting widespread outrage among devotees and locals. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the incident while prioritizing maintenance of law and order in the area.

Call for protest in Telangana over attacks on temples

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organized a statewide protest in Telangana on October 19, 2024, accusing the government of failing to prevent attacks on Hindu temples. The protest was sparked by two incidents of vandalism involving Hindu idols earlier this month in Hyderabad.

Incidents Leading to Protests:

– Vandalization of Durga Idol: A vagabond damaged a Durga idol at a Puja pandal at Nampally Exhibition Grounds. Police claimed it was an accident, but BJP leaders are demanding a thorough investigation.
– Vandalism of Muthyalamma Temple: The temple in Secunderabad’s Mondal division was targeted, triggering widespread protests. BJP leaders, including Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, condemned the incident.

VHP National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal stated that the protest would take place in all district centers across the state. The situation escalated, with police lathi-charging protestors at the Shri Muthyalamma Devi temple in Hyderabad. Several protestors were injured, and BJP leaders, including Madhavi Latha, were detained by Hyderabad Police during protests over the alleged vandalism of the Muthyalamma temple.

The VHP has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Telangana government, calling the person who vandalized the idol a “terrorist” and accusing the government of attacking Hindus.

Caught by locals and handed over to the police

Salman Salim Thakur, the individual caught by locals and handed over to the police, was revealed to be in Hyderabad attending a month-long personality development workshop that started earlier this month. This information was uncovered by the Hyderabad police during their investigation into the temple vandalism case.

The BJP leaders have been vocal about their concerns, demanding a thorough investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into this incident. Their concerns highlight the seriousness of the situation and the need for a comprehensive probe.
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__Inputs from Agencies.