Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India]: A man has been arrested in connection with the vandalism of a statue of Veer Tejaji Maharaj, a revered folk deity in Rajasthan, police officials confirmed.
Speaking to media, Jaipur Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Tejaswani Gautam stated, “More than 10 teams worked on the case and arrested the accused, Siddharth Singh. He runs a café in Raja Park.”
The accused allegedly admitted that he was mentally disturbed due to struggles in his business. “He mentioned that he was frustrated as his work was not going well. After offering prayers at the temple, he got angry in frustration and vandalized the statue. He was traced and arrested within a few hours,” DCP Gautam added.
Public Outrage and Police Response
The incident triggered unrest in Jaipur’s Pratap Nagar area, where locals took to the streets in protest. Demonstrators blocked vehicular movement on the busy Tonk Road on Saturday, expressing their anger over the desecration.
To prevent further escalation, Jaipur Police deployed forces across sensitive areas. Additional Police Commissioner Rameshwar Choudhary reassured the public that the situation was under control.
“The condition is peaceful now, and some miscreants have been arrested. The matter is being investigated. I appeal to the public to maintain peace, and the accused will face legal action soon,” Choudhary said.
DCP Tejaswini Gautam further confirmed that police teams responded immediately upon receiving the report. “An FIR has been registered, and multiple teams are investigating the matter. Some individuals attempted to set fire to a nearby petrol pump but were swiftly removed. Several have been detained, and legal action is underway,” he stated.
Political Reactions and Condemnation
The act of vandalism has drawn strong political reactions from leaders across Rajasthan.
State Minister Sumit Godara condemned the incident, saying, “Some anti-social elements are trying to disturb social harmony. I urge everyone to maintain peace, and the government will take strict action against the culprits.”
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also denounced the act, calling it “extremely condemnable.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gehlot wrote, “The incident of breaking the statue of Veer Tejaji Maharaj in Pratap Nagar, Jaipur, is extremely condemnable. This kind of tampering with public sentiments and faith is unacceptable.”
“The government must ensure that the culprits are identified and punished immediately. Strong measures should be put in place to safeguard religious sites and prevent such incidents in the future,” he added.
Significance of Veer Tejaji Maharaj
Veer Tejaji Maharaj holds immense cultural and religious significance in Rajasthan, especially among the farming community. Any act of disrespect towards his legacy is considered an affront to regional and spiritual sentiments.
The police continue their investigation, assuring the public that justice will be served.