A delegation of BJP leaders, MPs, and MLAs met Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Monday regarding the recent alleged temple vandalism incidents across the state. They urged him to order an inquiry into these incidents.
After the meeting, BJP MP Eatala Rajender told ANI that the delegation requested an investigation and suggested an NIA probe if the state government was not able to handle the situation. “We met the Governor and discussed the attacks on 6-7 temples in the state. We had no information on the action taken by the government or the intention behind the attacks. We asked the Governor to order an inquiry. If the state is not capable, I urge the Governor to order NIA to take over the probe,” he said.
The delegation included BJP Legislative Party Leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, MPs Raghunandan Rao Madhavaneni, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, and MLAs Paidi Rakesh Reddy, Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy, Harish Palvai, among others.
Two separate incidents involving the desecration of Hindu idols were reported in Hyderabad earlier this month, prompting protests from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and religious organizations. On October 11, Hyderabad police arrested a person for allegedly vandalizing a Durga idol at Nampally Exhibition Grounds during the annual Devi Sharannavaratri celebrations. The police stated that the act was not deliberate, describing the accused as a “vagabond,” but the opposition demanded a detailed investigation.
Another incident occurred on October 14, when the vandalism of the Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad triggered widespread protests. Locals apprehended a suspect, Salman Salim Thakur, who was handed over to the police. On October 19, the temple witnessed further unrest as Telangana police resorted to lathi-charging protesters.
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The BJP demanded an NIA investigation into the temple vandalism, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Telangana government to suspend officers responsible for the lathi charge. VHP spokesperson Bala Swamy alleged that the vandal was a terrorist and criticized the state government for inaction, stating, “The person who vandalized the idol is a terrorist. Telangana police are not taking any steps to arrest those responsible for the incident.”
