On 14 October, Hyderabad's Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad was vandalised. Locals apprehended the perpetrator, Salman Salim Thakur, a 30-year-old from Maharashtra, at the scene of the incident.
Published Oct 19, 2024 | 5:21 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 20, 2024 | 3:37 AM
VHP, Bajrang Dal, BJP clash with police in Secunderabad protest over idol desecration
During a protest at the Muthyalamma temple in Kummarwadi, following the desecration of an idol in Secunderabad, members of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) confronted police officials using chappals and batons.
In response, the police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the agitators. Bajrang Dal, VHP and BJP have called for a state bandh today.
Police said more than 15 of their personnel, including an Assistant Commissioner and an Inspector, were injured in the violence. Efforts by local residents and the temple management to pacify the mob proved futile.
In #Secunderabad, tensions escalated during a protest at the Muthyalamma temple in Kummarwadi after an idol was desecrated.
Members of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and @BJP4India clashed with police officials, confronting them with chappals and batons.
In an effort to control the… pic.twitter.com/t6v2QocmqB
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) October 19, 2024
On Monday, 14 October, Hyderabad witnessed a case of vandalism in the popular Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad. The miscreant, identified as Salman Salim Thakur, a 30-year-old Maharastra native, was apprehended in the temple by the locals.
The incident occurred at 4.30 am when residents near the temple woke up to some disturbance. Upon checking the temple, they found Salman.
Salman allegedly entered the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and destroyed the temple’s property. He had kicked the deity – Muthylamma’s idol – multiple times before trying to take it off the pedestal as per the CCTV footage.
Responding to the noise, and angered at the desecration of the temple, the locals apprehended Salman and beat him repeatedly. Despite being beaten, Salman refused to reveal his details or motive to the mob. Subsequently, the police intervened, shifting Salman to a hospital before proceeding with the investigation.
The investigation at Market Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, revealed that Salman Salim Thakur was a 30-year-old native of Mumbra, near Mumbai. He arrived in Hyderabad early in October to attend a month-long personality development course in Regimental Bazar, Secunderabad.
Telangana BJP President and Secunderabad MP, G Kishan Reddy called out the Congress government on X. “I strongly condemn the high-handedness of the Congress Govt on the peaceful protestors at Muthyalamma Temple, Secunderabad, where Ammavaru idol was vandalized by anti-Hindus.
Instead of giving protection to the temple, the congress govt. is resorting to reckless lathi charge on the protestors…” he said.
I strongly condemn the high-handedness of the Congress Govt on the peaceful protestors at Muthyalamma Temple, Secunderabad, where Ammavaru idol was vandalized by anti-Hindus.
Instead of giving protection to the temple, the congress govt. is resorting to reckless lathi charge on… pic.twitter.com/31zjRUnYij
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) October 19, 2024
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) S Rashmi Perumal said over 3,000 people gathered at the Muthyalamma temple without obtaining official permission.
“The crowd soon became aggressive. They split into two groups — one advancing towards a local mosque with the intent to vandalise, and the other moving towards the Metropolis hotel,” the officer said.
“Despite multiple attempts to calm the situation, the mob started demanding the demolition of the mosque. When police intervened to stop their advance, the crowd began pelting stones, sticks, water bottles, footwear, and chairs at the police.”
Efforts by local residents and the temple management to pacify the mob proved futile.
To regain control, the police resorted to lathi charge. “Even then, the crowd regrouped and continued to escalate the violence, prompting additional police forces to be mobilised. After extended negotiations, the mob eventually dispersed from the temple area. However, in a further act of violence, some members damaged two RTC buses,” the officer added.
The authorities would initiate action against those involved in the unlawful activities. The police urged the public to cooperate with law enforcers and avoid spreading rumours.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
