A Muthyalamma temple idol located in Kurmaguda, Hyderabad, near a passport office, was allegedly vandalised early on Monday morning, according to officials.
The incident took place at around 4 am, when a man from the Muslim community entered the temple and attempted to destroy the idol of Mata, ANI reported. Mild tensions prevailed in Secunderabad after the idol was discovered damaged, with a large crowd gathering near the worship site, demanding stern action against the perpetrators. Local residents held a protest outside the Muthyalamma temple and a large number of police personnel were deployed near the temple.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad police detained BJP leader Madhavi Latha, other party leaders and workers during their protest over the alleged vandalism of the idol.
“They are taking me to the jail for protesting over the vandalisation of Mata’s idol. We are ready for this,” Latha told reporters as the police were taking away from the protest site.
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According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahankali Division, locals intervened and apprehended the individual, handing him over to the police under the Market police station limits.
After the incident, Union Minister and Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy visited the Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad’s Mondal division. “This is shameful, some people saw him, caught him, and handed him over to the police,” Reddy told the reporters following his visit.
“He did not come here for theft but came here to insult the Hindu society. Such incidents are happening continuously at different places in Hyderabad, some people are doing this deliberately to create tensions in Hyderabad and to increase communal riots in Hyderabad,” he added.
The Union Minister also indicated that he would speak with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding the matter. “Now the police commissioner has been called to the spot. There should be a detailed inquiry on this…In the coming days, all the temples in Hyderabad should be provided CCTV cameras. If needed, pickets should be installed and security should be provided in sensitive areas,” he said.
This incident follows the arrest of one person on October 12 for allegedly damaging a Goddess Durga idol at a Puja pandal at Nampally Exhibition Grounds within the Begum Bazar police station limits.