Secunderabad, Telangana, witnessed unrest after an incident of temple vandalism early on Monday morning, 14 October 2024. The desecration occurred at the Muthyalamma temple in Kummariguda, triggering widespread outrage and protests by locals, as well as prompting a political and communal outcry.
The incident unfolded around 4:35 AM when a man from another faith allegedly entered the temple premises near the Regional Passport Office and damaged the idol of the temple deity, Goddess Durga. A local resident, who was out for his morning walk, noticed suspicious activity at the temple and raised the alarm after spotting the vandalism.
Salman Salim Thakur is a 30-year-old computer engineer, the alleged desecrator of a temple caught on CCTV in Secunderabad
City police claims that he is a follower of Zakir Naik and other hardline Islamists.
The accused was also involved in similar incidents in Mumbai in 2022… pic.twitter.com/WiabAx8fIe
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) October 17, 2024
Locals quickly gathered at the site and apprehended the suspect. They dragged the man out onto the road and beat him up before handing him over to the police. Videos circulating online show the angry mob pinning him to the ground, raining blows on him and kicking him until he fell unconscious.
Hyderabad, Telangana: Islamist desecrated the Murti at Matha Muthyallamma Temple in Secunderabad, amid rising temple vandalism in Telangana.
Hindus captured him and handed him over to the police.#secundrabad #Telangana #hyderabd #Hindu #HindusPlayingVictim pic.twitter.com/JTrYAmdmD7
— CHANDU (@ChanduKatika) October 14, 2024
It is alleged that the Islamist was a follower of Zakir Naik and other hardline Islamists. The accused was also said to be involved in similar incidents in Mumbai in 2022 where he entered a Ganesh pandal wearing footwear and even attacked locals.
The suspect was later taken to a city hospital, where he is said to be in critical condition. Additionally, there are allegations that he was passed off as a “mentally unstable person” by various media and machinery.
The police arrived shortly after the alarm was raised and took the man into custody. He was later identified as being in his mid-30s, with reports suggesting he had migrated to the city from Maharashtra only a few days before the incident. The man was critically injured by the mob assault and is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a city hospital, where his condition remains critical.
Following the incident, the authorities intensified security around the temple to prevent further unrest and maintain law and order. A case was registered at the Market Police Station based on a complaint filed by a local resident, Chelmela Kiran Kumar, aged 33. The FIR charges include trespassing, breaking, obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties, fabricating evidence, offending religious sentiments, and culpable homicide.
The investigation is currently focused on determining the motive behind the vandalism and whether others were involved. The police are actively questioning witnesses, reviewing CCTV footage, and analyzing evidence to gain more insights into the circumstances leading to the act of desecration.
The vandalism of the temple idol sparked widespread outrage among locals and worshippers, who gathered at the site in large numbers to protest the incident. The demonstration saw an influx of devotees and residents from various parts of Hyderabad, who demanded immediate and stringent action against those responsible for the sacrilege.
Authorities deployed additional police personnel to the area to manage the crowd and quell rising tensions. Despite these efforts, the incident stirred anger within the community, with many expressing frustration over what they perceived as a failure to protect places of worship from acts of desecration.
Meanwhile, the Secunderabad police confirmed that they were closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions to prevent any escalation. The investigation remains ongoing, with efforts concentrated on uncovering the exact motive behind the temple desecration and ensuring those involved face legal consequences.
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