The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Frustrated devotee takes on gods

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Frustrated devotee takes on gods

By Our Staff Reporter

SURYAPET (NALGONDA DT.), NOV. 23. Enraged by the "failure'' of the gods to respond to the prayers of his family, a devotee of Mallikarjuna Swamy turned hostile and defaced the idols of some Hindu gods and Jesus and Mary. He was finally arrested by the Suryapet police on the charge of hurting the sentiments of followers of the two religions.

According to P.Srinivasa Naidu, the Suryapet Sub-Inspector, Karingula Ramaswamy (50) of Ravipalem village in Mothey mandal, was an ardent Hindu. He married Sushila 20 years ago and they were blessed with two children. He was living on the alms given by the villagers.

Sushila, who converted to Christianity seven years ago, was taken ill seriously recently. Upset by his wife's deteriorating health, Ramaswamy performed special pujas to Mallikarjuna Swamy in Yepuru village. Meanwhile, Sushila died. Destroys idols

In the early hours of November 12, he visited the Yepuru temple and destroyed the idol of Mallikarjuna Swamy. After five days, he defaced Christ's statue on the premises of the Nirmala church in Suryapet town. On November 19, he again allegedly trespassed into the church premises and defaced Mary's statue, Mr.Srinivasa Naidu said.

``When he was going home, a patrol party arrested him on Monday. Had he not been arrested on time, it would have turned into a major religious issue,'' the SI said.

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