A 42-year-old man arrested in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Sathya Sai district was found to be actively connected to the Pakistan-backed social media groups, circulating jihadi propaganda, police said on 17 August 2025. Kotwal Noor Mohammad was arrested in Dharmavaram town on 16 August. Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Ratna confirmed the arrest at a news conference on 17 August.

A case has been filed under the stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The SP said that the accused has been booked for promoting enmity between different groups and indulging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

According to the SP, he was found to be a member in six WhatsApp groups of banned organisations and was also active in 30 other social media groups of Pakistan. Police also detained another person who was in touch with Noor Mohammad. The police were questioning him. Noor Mohammad was presented before a magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody. He was sent to Kadapa Jail. Noor Mohammad was working at a hotel in the town, making chicken biryani. He has been staying in the town for the last 15 years.

Police initially suspected him of being a passive member, but the preliminary investigation revealed that he was an active participant in discussions intended to glorify extremist ideology. The police seized the accused’s mobile phone and a book in which he had allegedly written the messages and information received on WhatsApp groups.

The SP said the seized mobile had been sent to forensic laboratories to unravel his “digital footprint” to map his network. She did not rule out the possibility that the accused might have acted as a recruiter or sympathiser beyond the Sri Sathya Sai district. The arrest was made on the information provided by counter-intelligence.

The questioning also revealed that he was ready to go for training with the terrorist groups. The SP stated that the incident proves how social media platforms are being mishandled and misused to negatively impact youth and gullible minds at the local level by terrorist groups.

-IANS

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(With inputs from AP7am News)

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In a shocking turn of events, unknown assailants have vandalized the Varahi Amman Temple in Tiruchanur, located in the Tirupati district. The idol of the goddess, along with other sacred statues, was destroyed and thrown into the Swarnamukhi River, causing outrage among the local community. This temple, situated near the famous Padmavathi Temple, has been the subject of an ongoing dispute over its land ownership, which some claim to be theirs. This disagreement appears to have escalated into the temple’s destruction.

The Sri Varahi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur was not just demolished. it was desecrated. Idols of Varahi and Shiva were thrown into the river over a ₹10 lakh land deal involving a TDP leader. And where is Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan? Silent. Absent. Unconcerned. His silence speaks… pic.twitter.com/lchx1c7aX8

— Lost Temples (@LostTemple7) June 16, 2025

The incident took place around midnight on 10 June 2025, when a group of unidentified individuals demolished the temple structure and destroyed the principal idol (Moolavirat) and other statues. The debris was then thrown into the nearby Swarnamukhi River, sparking an uproar in the local community.

For several days now, there has been a legal dispute regarding the ownership of the land on which the temple stands. Reports indicate that two individuals, Mani Reddy and Rami Reddy, have filed a petition in a local court, asserting that the land on which the Varahi Amma Temple stands belongs to them. Despite the case being pending, the duo, along with around 30 unidentified individuals, reportedly attacked the temple on 9 June, vandalizing the premises and manhandling women who tried to intervene. A complaint was filed with the Tiruchanur police, but no action was taken, even though the entire incident was captured on CCTV footage.

Locals believe that the police’s inaction is due to alleged political influence, with the two men purportedly receiving backing from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Emboldened by the lack of a police response, the group of miscreants returned to the temple on the night of 10 June with earthmovers and destroyed the structure. They also desecrated the idols and discarded them into the Swarnamukhi River. Upon learning of the incident, members of the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organizations arrived at the site, retrieved the damaged idols from the river, and have since demanded strict action against those responsible. They have warned of large-scale protests unless the culprits are apprehended and held accountable for the destruction.

According to reports, it is alleged that TDP leaders paid ₹10 lakh to the miscreants in exchange for their involvement in taking control of the temple land. The vandalism was reportedly spearheaded by TDP leader Kishore Reddy, who is known to be a supporter of Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani.

Furthermore, locals have raised suspicions that the destruction of the temple is part of a broader scheme to enable illegal sand mining operations by a sand mafia active along the banks of the Swarnamukhi River. The incident has sparked widespread anger among local communities and religious groups, who are demanding immediate intervention and accountability for the attack on the sacred site.

This incident has caused significant outrage among Hindu groups, who are now demanding stringent action against those responsible. On Wednesday, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay visited Tirupati and met with concerned citizens to address the issue. Hindu organizations attempted to lodge complaints with the minister, but police obstructed their efforts. As a result, the groups staged a protest near the local police station, calling for strict action against the culprits.

The desecration of the Varahi Amma Temple has left the local community in shock and has sparked further unrest over the growing tensions surrounding the site. Hindu organizations are adamant that the government take immediate action to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable and that religious harmony is preserved.

(With inputs from Sakshi Post)

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India, that is Bharat, is a land steeped in tradition, spirituality, and deep respect for nature. Here, everything—from the boundless cosmos to the smallest elements of the earth is believed to be interconnected. Ancient sages, understanding this cosmic harmony, channeled divine energies through numerous local deities to benefit humanity.

Have you ever heard of a temple with no doors? A temple that even ISRO scientists visit before every satellite launch to seek divine blessings? Welcome to the Chengalamma Parameswari Temple in Sullurpeta, Andhra Pradesh. The goddess, affectionately called Ammavaru, is revered as the village deity (Grama Devata) of nearby Sriharikota, home to India’s space launches, and is also closely associated with the Pulicat Lake.

The Origins of Sullurpeta and the Deity

Sullurpeta, a small town near the Andhra-Tamil Nadu border, was once a humble village called Subagiri, mostly inhabited by cowherds. According to local legend, while some villagers were grazing cattle and bathing in the Kalangi River, a sudden current threatened to sweep them away. They clung to what appeared to be an old statue and managed to reach the shore safely.

Once the river calmed, they discovered a majestic idol—Ammavaru, depicted with eight arms, weapons in hand, and crushing a demon beneath her feet. The villagers placed the murti under a sacred Raavi (peepal) tree facing east. Strangely, when they returned the next day, the idol had mysteriously turned to face south in her full form as Mahishasura Mardini. That night, the goddess appeared in a dream to the village elder, expressing her wish to remain there. Honoring her request, they built a temple on the same spot.

Over time, Subagiri came to be known as Chengali, then Chengali Peta, and eventually became Sullurpeta during the British era.

Temple Architecture and Unique Traditions

The temple complex is expansive, with a grand eastern entrance (Raja Gopuram) and shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha, and the Naga Devatas. The sanctum sanctorum (Garba Gudi) houses the idol of Chengalamma Parameswari, and the temple priests traditionally belong to the Balija community, who were instrumental in building the temple.

One remarkable feature of this temple is that it has no doors. Legend says a thief once attempted to steal from the temple, prompting plans to install doors for protection. However, the goddess appeared in a dream and declared that no barrier should exist between her and her devotees. The doors that were built were set aside in a corner. In time, a tree began to grow from the carved wooden doors, which devotees believe is an embodiment of the goddess herself. Today, people worship both this sacred tree and the main deity.

Nearby are a Naga Lingam and a Navagraha Mandapam. Couples who wish for children often tie small cloth cradles to the tree and perform pradakshina (circumambulation) to seek the goddess’s blessings.

Festivals and Ceremonies

Every full moon (Pournami), special rituals like Maha Chandi Yagnam and Nava Kalasa Abhishekam are conducted with great devotion. The temple is a favored venue for sacred rites such as ear-piercing ceremonies for girls, Aksharabhyasam (beginning of formal education), marriages, and Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony).

Major festivals like Ganapati Navaratri, Ugadi, Mahashivaratri, and Nagula Chavithi are celebrated with fervor, attracting pilgrims from across Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Tamil Nadu.

The Grand Brahmotsavam

Every seven years, during the months of May–June, the temple hosts a grand Brahmotsavam festival lasting seven days. The celebrations begin with the Sudi Maanu ritual, where a chakra (disc), a black goat, and a garland are tied to a pole and spun around. Symbolizing the victory over evil, an effigy of a large bull—representing Mahishasura—is ritually beheaded.

Devotees also bathe in the Kalangi River, and the festival includes a Teppotsavam (float festival) where the deity is paraded in a beautifully decorated boat. The final day features a grand procession of Ammavaru carried in a flower-adorned pallaki (palanquin).

Visiting the Temple

Sullurpeta is situated along the Chennai–Howrah railway line and is easily accessible by road. With its proximity to Sriharikota and Pulicat Lake, the Chengalamma Temple is not just a spiritual destination but also a place of cultural and natural significance—definitely worth a visit.

(This was originally published on social media platform X and has been republished here with permission.)

Ratnakar Sadasyalu is a blogger with a passion in movies, music, books, and history. A techie by profession, and a writer at heart. Author of City of Victory a book on Vijayanagar Empire.

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Tension flared in Madanapalle, Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh after an Ayyappa devotee was allegedly assaulted by a Muslim youth named Ziaul Huq. According to locals, the devotee, identified as Venkatesh, was targeted by Huq for wearing an Ayyappa mala.

The altercation occurred near the RTC bus stand on the evening of 25 December 2024, when Venkatesh reportedly asked Huq to move his two-wheeler that was obstructing the road. Enraged by the request, Huq allegedly attacked Venkatesh, tearing his Ayyappa mala and shirt during the assault. As the situation escalated, locals gathered at the scene and intervened.

The incident quickly drew attention from Hindu groups, who arrived at the location and condemned the attack, chanting slogans in support of Lord Ayyappa. The groups demanded stringent action against Ziaul Huq, a native of Bidar, for disrespecting the religious symbol associated with Lord Ayyappa.

Police arrived at the scene to restore order and detained Ziaul Huq. To pacify the angry devotees, Ziaul apologised by touching Venkatesh’s feet, an act witnessed by several other Ayyappa devotees. The situation was eventually brought under control.

This incident follows another attack earlier in December, where a group of Muslims attacked a bus carrying Ayyappa devotees in Rayachoti town. The mob objected to the loud volume of Hindu devotional songs being played on the bus, claiming the music was audible from outside the vehicle.

(With inputs from OpIndia)

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Andhra Pradesh Police have arrested Pinipe Srikanth, son of YSR Congress Party leader and former Minister Pinipe Viswarup, in connection with the murder of a Dalit youth two years ago.

Srikanth was taken into custody by a team from Andhra Pradesh Police in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He was being brought to the state on a transit warrant.

He is said to be an accused in the murder of a Dalit youth and a village volunteer, J Durga Prasad.

Police, who had been looking for Srikanth for the last few days, arrested him in Madurai and produced him before a local court to obtain a transit warrant. He was being brought to Konaseema district by road.

Srikanth denied the allegations against him. “I am a doctor. I know only saving lives and not taking lives,” he told media persons in Madurai while the police were taking him away after a medical examination at a hospital. He alleged that he was illegally arrested in the case.

Durga Prasad was killed on June 6, 2022, after the riots in Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district.

The police earlier questioned the victim’s friend and YSRCP social media convenor, V Dharmesh. He was arrested on October 18. The police were on the lookout for Srikanth and four other accused.

The deceased was said to be a friend of Dharmesh and Srikanth and actively participated in the party activity.

The motive behind the Dalit youth’s murder is not known. Police believe that he was killed under a well-planned conspiracy.

Dharmesh had allegedly taken Durga Prasad to Kotipalli dock on a two-wheeler. Four men followed them in a car. The victim was then taken onto the boat, and the accused then strangulated Durga Prasad to death.

In response to the victim’s complaint, police registered a missing case. Police later found his body, and the autopsy revealed that he was murdered.

Viswarup was the transport minister in the previous government of the YSR Congress Party. A mob set his house in Amalapuram afire in May 2022 during the violence over the renaming of the Konaseema district. However, the YSRCP leader and his family members were not at home.

–IANS

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A Hindu temple priest from a Scheduled Caste (SC) community in Andhra Pradesh posted a video recently, narrating his alleged harassment at the hands of the converted Christians of his SC community, who now constitute an overwhelming majority in his village.

A video has been doing the rounds on social media in which a man narrates his ordeal pleading for support from the Hindu community.

We are told this mandir purohit in Andhra Pradesh is narrating how he is being threatened by converted local Christians to abandon the temple and convert. Can someone caption this video and provide a complete transcript? pic.twitter.com/yphTVRLGOL

— HinduPost (@hindupost) December 5, 2022

He says “Jai Sri ram! My name is Addepalli Raghavulu. I am from Sajjalavaripalem village – ‘Madiga’palli (Madiga is an SC community) colony within the larger village  Nagaram Mandal, Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh. With the help of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD), we built a Rama temple in the Madigapalli locality (the caste area within the larger village). In our village, people from my Madiga community who have converted to Christianity, are pressuring me to convert and give up the Rama temple, which is located within the SC locality of the village. I have resisted and because I have not given in to the pressure of Christian conversion tactics, the christians from my community threatened to file false cases against me, which they eventually did, claiming that I had bad-mouthed women from the Christian community. They have threatened to file more frivolous, false cases against me with the help of the Nagaram Mandal Superintendent of Police (SI)”.

In the video, he further adds “It is disheartening that the local AP police are not only turning a blind eye to this gross injustice but encouraging me to convert, on the grounds that Hindus have now become a minority in my Madiga caste (SC community) and hence what can a few Hindu members do against the much larger Christian numbers!”

“I request all Hindus to save the Sri Kodanda Rama temple in Sajjavaripalem village (Madigapalli/SC colony) from demolition and Pujaris like me who are proudly, happily working for the Hindu Dharma. We need your blessings and help from the leaders of our Hindu organizations”., the priest says.

“Dear Hindus, I am saddened and troubled by the 2-3 FIRs that were filed against me and the threat of another one, on the basis of false charges, simply because I have refused to convert to Christianity. If they succeed in filing these false cases against me with the support of the local police, there will be no more Hindus left in my community and no Pujari for this temple. It will be demolished or converted into a Church by the Christians. I am one of only a handful of Hindus left. I hereby request you to help me save this temple, our Hindu Dharma and my family. I hope I have the blessings and support of the Hindus with the help of this video. Jai Sri Ram! Jai Hind!”

In another recent incident, residents of a village in Andhra stood united in petitioning the local government authorities against the construction of a new church. They were successful with their petition against the church, as the authorities accepted their argument, that the village did not have any christians at present and clearly, a large church was being built, only to conduct a conversion drive among the gullible and vulnerable Hindu SC communities, by falsifying information on the Hindu religion and offering financial incentives to the economically weakers sections of society.

The Hindu Post reported that an activist has since visited the mentioned village and confirmed the information shared by the courageous Raghavalu, in his video. Apparently, only three SC families out of around 500 have remained Hindu. One can imagine the plight of the handful of Hindus among the hundreds of aggresive, fanatic converted Christians. This complaint based on the information shared in the video is being investigated.

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The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered the Guntur Collector to cancel the Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate of the chairperson of the Guntur Zilla Parishad, who was elected to the position reserved for Scheduled Castes in September 2021.

In September 2021, Heni Christina of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP was unanimously elected as the chairperson of Guntur’s Zilla Parishad. She won by a margin of 17500 votes from a constituency reserved for the scheduled caste candidates.

According to The Hindu, she stated,“We are forever grateful to Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who had fulfilled his promise of elevating a Dalit woman to the coveted post. We assure that we will live up our leader’s expectation and ensure that welfare schemes are taken to the doorstep of the people”.

Christina is the wife of Christian pastor Bishop K Suresh Kumar who runs the Christian missionary organization Harvest India.

Mandru Sarla Kumari, a Guntur native and SC Hindu, filed complaints with the district administration about bishop Suresh Kathera and his wife Heni Christina’s conversion activities.

She alleged that Christian Bishop Kattera Suresh Kumar is holding a Scheduled Caste certificate to avail reservation benefits despite being a Christian Bishop, maintaining a big church, running several Bible colleges and awarding Christian theology degree through a large evangelical organization namely Harvest India.

She had presented plenty of evidence to show that the pastor and his family are Christians but use SC Hindu certificates to illegally obtain government benefits.

Regardless of the evidence, the collector declared Kathera and his family to be SC Hindus, despite the fact that they run 10 bible colleges and a church called King’s Temple.

Election Petition filed in the AP High Court challenging the candidature of Heny Christina who is a Christian contested from SC reserved ZP Constituency, Guntur with SC caste certificate.

Her husband, Bishop K Suresh Kumar was recently declared as Hindu by Dist Collector. pic.twitter.com/bRLpD7ak86

— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) September 27, 2021

The Legal Rights Protection Forum, an organization working for the rights of Dalits and tribal communities, filed a petition at the Andhra Pradesh High Court in September 2021, challenging Heni Christina’s candidacy from the reserved ZP constituency Guntur.

As per the Constitutional (Scheduled Castes) Order of the President 1950, a person ceases to be a member of the Scheduled Caste community if he/she professes a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism.

Recently, in the case filed by LRPF, the Andhra Pradesh High Court recognized Mr. Kathera Suresh Kumar, President of Harvest India, and his wife Heni Christina, Guntur ZP Chairperson as Christians, not Hindu SCs, and ordered the District Collector to cancel their SC Caste Certificates.

#Victory: Finally, the Andhra Pradesh High Court recognized Mr. Kathera Suresh Kumar, President of Harvest India & his Wife Heny Christina, Guntur ZP Chairperson as Christians, not Hindu SCs. Ordered the District Collector to cancel their SC Caste Certificates. https://t.co/qP282f7rw4

— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) November 15, 2022

LRPF had previously unearthed FCRA violations at Bishop Kathera’s missionary organization, Harvest India, and lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Bishop Kathera had told his foreign audience, “Pastors are being killed. Churches are being burned. Our Prime Minister is a bad guy. He doesn’t want Christians in India.” Kathera and his wife are both YSRCP members.

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Shaik Athavullah, a Head Constable of Andhra Pradesh Special Police Branch has been arrested for his involvement in the Atmakur Police Station attack case.

On 8th January 2022, the police station in Atmakur of Kurnool District was attacked by a mob of Muslims.

The attack came in the light of local Hindus raising objections to the construction of an unauthorized Mosque.

The attack was reportedly orchestrated by radical Islamist outfits like SDPI whose involvement was confirmed by the Superintendent of Police of Kurnool district. Several policemen were grievously injured in the attack.

Seven among the nine persons who were arrested in connection with incident were found to be SDPI members and had undergone SDPI training recently.

Earlier, a Telugu daily ‘Surya’ reported that Head Constable Shaik Athavullah of the Andhra Pradesh Police Special Branch was directly involved the attack.

It was reported that police officials of the same department were trying to save Athavullah by creating records that he went on leave on that day. He was supposed to be on duty at the state Chief Minister’s Camp Office.

However, when a police personnel goes on leave, a substitute police should’ve been appointed in his place which reportedly didn’t happen.

Shocking!!
As reported by 'Surya', Mr. Shaik Athavullah, Head Constable (HC:1184) of the AP Special Police Dept who was supposed to be on duty at AP CM's Camp Office had directly involved in Attack on Police Station at Atmakur, Kurnool District along with PFI & SDPI on 8-January. https://t.co/zGVzHpWLXo pic.twitter.com/WWaweUw6bp

— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) February 24, 2022

The role of Head Constable was also identified by Intelligence department while watching the video clips of the incident which were shot using drone cameras.

In this light, the said police officer has been taken into custody.

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Villagers of the Budhagavi Gram Panchayat of the Uravakonda Mandal in Anantapur Distric passed a resolution against the Andhra Pradesh government’s take over of the ancient Sri Rama Lingeswara Swamy Temple.

Sri Rama Lingeswara Swamy Temple, situated in Budhagavi village is ancient temple dating backing to the 13^th Century and is said to have been constructed during the regime of the Chola Dynasty.

Following several representations submitted by the villagers and representatives of Budhagavi village in March 2010, a No Objection Certificate was issued by the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh that allowed the people of Budhagavi village to carry out temple development works with their own resources.

A society named ‘Sree Surya Narayana Seva Samiti’ was registered for temple development works in 2011. The villagers have been maintaining the temple and conducting ceremnoies with the financial assistance provided by one Shri Kasibhatla Anantha Rama Sharma.

However, it came to the notice of Budhagavi Gram Sabha that the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department is trying to take over the temple administration from the hands of the people even though the said temple was never a part of the Endowments Department officially.

In light of this,  the people of the Gram Sabha held a formal special on February 18 and passed two resolutions. The villagers have said that the whole responsibility of maintaining the RamaLingeswara Temple will be borne by village people and there shall be no interference of AP Endowments Department in this matter. The ‘Sree Suryanarayana Swamy Seva Samiti’ – a registered society that is currently looking into the maintenance of the temple will take this responsibility in the future too.

Following this, the villagers have now written to the President of India to issue orders to the Government of Andhra Pradesh to maintain status quo in the maintenance of the temple.

#GramSabha of Bhudhagavi, Uravakonda(M), Anantapur Dist, AP filed petition with President of India seeking directions to State Govt to maintain Status Quo by reserving their Rights of Maintaining Ancient Surya Temple in their village under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution. https://t.co/JcP8ZcBckY pic.twitter.com/CoLPT3glKa

— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) February 22, 2022

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