The BJP, known for defending Hindu rights, remained silent until BRS Working President KT Rama Rao questioned their inaction. He visited the temple and expressed solidarity with Rangarajan.
Published Feb 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM
A far-right outfit attacked Chilkur Balaji Temple priest Rangarajan, demanding his support for a 'Rama Rajyam'
Synopsis: Chilkur Balaji Temple chief priest Rangarajan was attacked by a Hindutva group on 7 February. BJP remained silent until KT Rama Rao questioned their inaction. However, they later stated their strong support for Rangarajan and denied any delay in condemning the attack.
Did the Telangana BJP hesitate or delay in reacting to the attack on Chilkur Balaji Temple chief priest Rangarajan? The attack occurred on 7 February but came to light only on 10 February.
The BJP, known for defending Hindu rights, remained silent until BRS Working President KT Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, questioned their inaction. He visited the temple and expressed solidarity with Rangarajan.
On 10 February 10, KTR posted on X: “Chilkur temple chief priest and a great scholar Shri Rangarajan garu was attacked two days ago by fringe elements. Not a word from the protectors of Hinduism on this act of cowardice. There are videos of the attack. In two days, did the Telangana government do anything? Shame! Home Minister? Chief Minister? Anyone has answers?”
ధర్మరక్షకులు దాడులు చేస్తారు…
రాజ్యాంగ రక్షకులు చూస్తూ కూర్చుంటారు 👏🏼Chilkur temple chief priest and a great scholar Shri Rangarajan garu was attacked two days ago by fringe elements.
Not a word from the protectors of Hinduism on this act of cowardice
There are videos of the…
— KTR (@KTRBRS) February 10, 2025
Surprisingly, no one seemed aware of Rama Rajyam, the fringe group responsible for the attack. The group had been recruiting members by offering ₹20,000 per month to restore “Rama Rajya”. However, its purpose remains unclear.
Rangarajan did not immediately file a complaint. Instead, senior priest CS Soundarajan reported the incident, detailing how the attackers manhandled and humiliated Rangarajan.
The issue gained attention after television channels aired visuals of the attack on 9 February. Yet, no one reacted until KTR raised the matter, questioning the BJP’s silence. Only then did BJP leaders, including Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, along with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders, condemn the attack and demand action.
Since the attackers were linked to Hindutva, it appeared the BJP and other Hindu organisations initially hesitated to react. However, they later stated their strong support for Rangarajan and denied any delay in condemning the attack.
Kishan Reddy condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable. He recalled how Rangarajan left a prestigious university job to protect ‘Sanatana Dharma‘ and Indian culture. He demanded strict action against the attackers.
The RSS also criticised the attack. Telangana Prant Prachar Pramukh Katta Raju Gopal called it an assault on Hindu values and temple traditions. The VHP described it as an attack on the temple system and priests. They urged the government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to find those responsible.
Initially, BJP leaders hesitated to condemn the attack. BJP leader N Ramachandra Rao admitted they were occupied with the MLC election campaign. He defended the party’s stance, recalling that they had supported Rangarajan when he carried a Dalit devotee, Aditya Parasri, into the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in 2018.
Senior journalist and political analyst Bandaru Srinivasa Rao believes that parties did not fully support Rangarajan’s campaign against state control of temples.
Since a Hindu group attacked him, they were unsure how to respond. He said they finally supported Rangarajan since not supporting him might distance Hindus from them.
“They may have realised that even devout Hindus would not support the fringe group. The political parties will let the issue simmer for a few days and let it die out. I do not think any party would build movements in support of Rangarajan,” he said.
Another analyst and educationist, Professor DAR Subrahmanyam, stated that extreme right-wing groups gained influence under the BJP government and were taking the law into their own hands.
He said the BJP might have hesitated because condemning this attack would set a precedent for opposing similar acts in the future since they indirectly encourage the growth of fringe groups as it suits their political purpose.
Senior journalist Manchala Srinivas disagreed with the delay theory. He said KTR’s quick response was due to his proximity to the temple during a political program. He noted that Bandi Sanjay was the first to condemn the attack. KTR’s post questioning the delay was hasty,” he said.
VHP Andhra Pradesh General Secretary Tanikella Satya Ravi Kumar affirmed that VHP respects Rangarajan. He stressed that the organisation does not support fringe Hindutva groups like Rama Rajyam.
He clarified that VHP respects the law of the land and would not align with anyone who does not respect the Constitution or law. He said they had waited for decades for court clearance before constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. “We have no ideological similarity with Rama Rajyam. It takes religion to an extreme level,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
