Temples in Andhra are time and again being attacked and vandalized. In what can only be termed as suspicious, the chariot of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in East Godavari District’s Antharvedi village was found afire despite the fact that there is no possibility of self-combustion either due to short circuit or lamps being lit in the room where the chariot is kept.

Chariot of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple was caught with fire at Antharvedi, EG Dist, AP. This is 1 among series of suscipious incidents happenig for last few months.
Urged intervention of Hon'ble @governorap & sought directions to AP Govt to provide protection to Temples. pic.twitter.com/gjStw0FMd8

— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) September 6, 2020

Following the incident, this is one in a series of many attacks on Hindu temples this year, devotees gathered to protest against the incident and demand action from the government. Beginning from February this year when the chariot of the famous Prasanna Venkateswara Temple in Nellore district was completely burnt down at midnight, the frequent damage to Hindu temples has caused concerns among the devotees who suspect foul play.

Immediately after receiving the information temple in-charge, Shri Arjun Rao contacted the Superintendent of Police over the phone to discuss the incident. A police complaint has been registered and investigations in the case are underway.

LRPF (Legal Rights Protection Forum) has taken cognizance of the series of incidents and written to the governor of Andhra Pradesh (AP) to seek a thorough investigation into the matter as well as order the Andhra police to make sufficient arrangements for the safety and protection of Hindu temples.

In their letter, LRPF has pointed out that they had earlier written to the AP HM Smt. Mekathoti Sucharita asking her to provide protection to Hindu temples. However, their plea seems to have gone unheard, and hence they are reiterating their request to the governor.

They have cited a few incidents to make their point that has been listed below:

• 21^st January 2020 – Some unknown miscreants desecrated idols of several Hindu Devis and Devtas and flex banners in Pithapuram city in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
• 5^th February 2020 – Idols at Sri Venu Gopala Swamy Temple were destroyed and Lord Ganesh Idol was stolen by some miscreants in Rompicharla village, Guntur District.
• 13^th February 2020 – A Chariot belonging to Prasanna Venkateswara Temple at Kondabitragunta Village, Bogol Mandal in Nellore District was completely burnt down at midnight.
• 28^th March 2020 – Two ancient Hindu temples in Suryaraopeta, Kakinada Rural Mandal of East Godavari District were demolished by a Church Pastor using a JCB machine who then took away the antique idols of Goddess.

The letter cites a possible criminal conspiracy in view of the similarity in the pattern of attacks. Furthermore, considering the anguish among Hindu devotees, LRPF has said that inaction may lead to communal strife. Therefore, besides a thorough investigation, the letter also seeks ample protection for Hindu temples to protect the religious sentiments of Hindus in the state.

(Featured Image Source: Indiatimes)

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