Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a state-wide protest on Saturday (October 19, 2024), alleging that the Telangana government has been negligent in preventing attacks on Hindu temples in the state.
VHP National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal stated that the protest is scheduled to take place in all district centers of the state.
Earlier this month in Hyderabad, two incidents involving the vandalization of Hindu idols sparked protests from the BJP and other religious organizations.
The first incident involved the vandalization of a Durga idol at a Puja pandal at Nampally Exhibition Grounds within the limits of Hyderabad’s Begum Bazar police station.
Police said the person behind the incident was a vagabond, and the act was not deliberate. According to the police, he was feeling hungry and, while searching for food, he disturbed the Prasadam, accidentally damaging the idol. However, BJP leaders have called for a detailed investigation.
The second incident, which triggered widespread protests, was the vandalism of the Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad’s Mondal division. Many BJP leaders, including Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy, visited the temple complex and condemned the incident.
One individual was caught by locals and handed over to the police. He was later identified as Salman Salim Thakur.
Hyderabad police later found that Thakur had arrived in the city earlier this month to attend a month-long personality development workshop. BJP leaders have demanded an NIA investigation into this case.