There is no let-up in the incidents of vandalisation of idols of Hindu deities in Andhra Pradesh. There is already massive outrage over the burning of the religious Chariot at Antarvedi temple of West Godavari District. Now in another incident, unknown offenders have vandalized the ancient Nandi idol situated in Shiva Temple at Nangamangalam village.
The DSP of the area said, “The offenders stole the oldest Nandi idol with a motive of taking pearls, diamonds, Panchalohas, etc., inside the idol. We will nab all the culprits.”
With such incidents on the rise, police in Andhra Pradesh have been put on alert with all-night vigil. The government has asked the police to ensure security and safety of all places of worship in the state so that no incident of attack on religious places occurs.
The police have also asked the priests and religions heads across the state to be alert and vigilant. They all have been asked to get cameras fixed in the temples, churches and mosques.
In Prakasam and West Godavari districts, the policemen visit temples, churches and mosques, suggesting safety measures to the clergy as well as locals.
The department is keeping vigil 24 hours at all places of worship across Prakasam District. Prakasam Superintendent of Police (SP), Siddharth Kaushal, has warned hate mongers of strict action if any incident takes place. Meanwhile, attacks on temples have snowballed into a major issue in Andhra Pradesh, with the BJP raising it regularly. Recently, idols at Sri Venu Gopala Swamy Temple were destroyed, the iconic chariot at Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Appalayagunta was gutted in the fire.
On 6 September, an ancient chariot at Antarvedi Temple was found burnt in suspicious circumstances. Three silver lion statues at Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada were stolen. An idol of Lord Hanuman in Yeleswaram was vandalized.