Hindu woman in Hyderabad assaulted by Christian neighbours for doing pooja

A 29 year-old woman in Hyderabad’s Attapur was physically assaulted after an argument broke out about her performing prayers and rituals at a temple near her house. The woman identified as ‘J Kavitha’ had been doing pooja at her ‘home-temple’ when she was attacked by her neighbours ‘Yesu and Ratna’. Her mother too is said to have been attacked.

Apparently, the sound of her prayers had infuriated her neighbours who had charged into the house and attacked them. Kavitha said that she was doing the pooja at her home temple when three people called her outside the house and thrashed Kavitha and her mother. Kavitha was reported saying that the neighbours had been harassing and fighting with them for a long time. She said that they had a problem with the ringing of bells and praying at the small temple dedicated to Goddess Tuljabhavani that have been constructed outside Kavitha’s house.

A complaint was lodged at the police Rajendranagar police station. The police had however noted that Kavita played bhajans using a loud speaker from 6 AM to 10 AM adding that other people in the locality too had issues with Kavita who had raised concerns several times.

Yesu has been charged under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder) as he attacked her with a rod. Kavitha has also been asked to use the loudspeaker within the permissible decibel limits.