The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Temple ‘desecration’ leads to tension

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 15, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Temple ‘desecration’ leads to tension

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Unidentified persons desecrated the idol of Lord Anjaneya in an ancient temple at Pensionpura of Langerhouz leading to tension in the area here on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, thieves broke into a temple atop Golconda fort and took away gold and silver ornaments from it.

People visiting the temple in the morning found the ‘chandanam’ all over the idol removed.

Initially, it was thought that some devotees would have removed it as part of a ritual, but agitated locals began gathering in large numbers as suspicion of desecration was raised.

Langerhouz police station Inspector P. Jaipal said when he reached the temple , he found the ‘chandanam’ put on the idol again. Tension began to build up in the area as the crowds swelled and demanded action against the culprits.

Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by former MLA Prem Singh Rathore, alleged the idol was damaged to hurt the sentiments of the people and incite violence. Mr. Jaipal suspected the role of mischief-mongers behind the incident. He informed local revenue authorities that the BJP activists were demanding allocation of the 1,600-odd square yards of Government land to temple.

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