Protests erupted in Hyderabad, Telangana, following the vandalism of a goddess idol at the Bhoolaxmi Temple in Rakshapuram, Santosh Nagar police station area on the night of August 26, 2024. The attack occurred around 11:30 PM, during Krishna Janmashtami, and has ignited significant public outrage. Locals believe the assault was aimed at disturbing communal peace and disrupting the upcoming Ganesh festival.
As news of the vandalism spread, a large crowd of Hindus, including members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindutva organizations, gathered at the Bhoolaxmi temple. They chanted bhajans and slogans, blocking Rakshapuram Road and demanding immediate action. The group said the attackers were targeting the historic temple, which has seen multiple attacks over the past five years. They reported that four FIRs have been filed previously for similar incidents.
In response to the escalating situation, Hyderabad police deployed the Task Force and CAR police to restore order in the Santosh Nagar area. Senior officials announced the arrest of two suspects believed to be involved in the attack.
👉హైదరాబాద్ ఓల్డ్ సిటి లోని రక్షాపురంలో భూలక్ష్మీ మాత మందిరాన్ని గతరాత్రి ధ్వంసం చేసిన Jiహదీలు .
👉జరిగిన సంఘటనలో MIM గుండాల ప్రమేయంపై స్థానికులు ఇచ్చిన సమాచారంపై కేసు నమోదు చేయాలని, దారుసలాం ఎజెండాపై విచారణ జరిపించాలని VHP డిమాండ్ చేస్తుంది.@VHPDigital pic.twitter.com/ucHxEU5wJr— Dr.Ravinuthala Shashidhar (@shashidhar147) August 27, 2024
In an unusual development, a local Muslim leader has presented two individuals accused of vandalism to the police. There is confusion about whether the police are investigating the case or the claims made by the local leader, who identified one suspect as mentally unstable, raising concerns about the motives behind the incident.
Several Hindu and BJP leaders, including Hyderabad BJP MP candidate Kompella Madhavi Latha, visited the vandalized Bhoolaxmi temple. She voiced her concern on social media, condemning the attack as an assault on Hindu sentiments and demanding immediate justice.
Madhavi Latha stated, “In the old city of Hyderabad, within the Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency, specifically in the Rakshapuram area, I’m providing these details so that the entire nation understands what happened yesterday during Gokulashtami, a day celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. Our temples were vandalized today—can this be a joke? With Vinayak Chaturthi approaching, it’s shocking that the police station is just 10 meters away and four surveillance cameras are installed, yet they could not prevent this. MIM goons came and desecrated our Mata Durga. I want to clarify to the entire country: do not dare touch our temples. And the MIM MP or the Chandrayangutta MLA should come and seek forgiveness from our goddess.”
Smt. Madhavi Latha Garu strongly condemns the despicable act of desecrating the sacred idols of Bhulakshmi Mata and Nalla Pochamma Mata at Bhulakshmi Amma Temple in Rakshapuram, Riyasat Nagar Division. This attack on our sacred deities is a deep wound to the hearts of Hindus and… pic.twitter.com/SaofRmqaNp
— Kompella Madhavi Latha (@Kompella_MLatha) August 27, 2024
Dr. Shashidhar, Joint Secretary of VHP Telangana, arrived at the scene and expressed strong concerns, describing the attack as a targeted hate crime. He linked it to illegal settlements of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in a nearby sensitive area, alleging that MIM supporters might have orchestrated the attack to disrupt the Ganesh festival. Dr. Shashidhar called for an impartial investigation to reveal what he termed the ‘Darussalam agenda,’ suggesting a broader conspiracy to target Hindu temples and convert land into Wakf properties. He also questioned the reasons behind the identification of suspects as mentally ill and reported that multiple motorcycle riders were involved in the attack.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on AIMIM leaders, particularly MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, who represents Chandrayangutta, where the attack occurred. Owaisi is accused of using such incidents to incite unrest and distract from allegations of land encroachments tied to his party. The vandalism, occurring alongside recent attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh, has raised suspicions that it may be part of a larger strategy by AIMIM to divert attention from its controversial activities.
The Hindu community in Hyderabad’s Old City remains on high alert. They suspect this attack might be part of a series of orchestrated efforts to disrupt religious harmony and gain political leverage.
The local population claims that the area, once predominantly Hindu 30-40 years ago, has seen a significant demographic shift, with many Muslims, including alleged illegal immigrants, now residing there.
(With Inputs From Organiser)
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