Political storm atop Ramatheertham

Vizianagaram/ Amaravati: Vandalising idols of gods seems to be posing a headache for the Government of Andhra Pradesh. While the issue of desecration of the idol of Lord Rama at an age-old temple in Ramatheertham has now taken serious political colour with TDP and BJP organising protests, some miscreants reportedly damaged the idol of Lord Anjaneya atop 'gopuram' of a temple in Sajjala Gudem in the Kosigi mandal.

Meanwhile, the sleepy town of Vizianagaram witnessed hectic political activity on Saturday. Tension prevailed as YSRCP MP Vijaya Sai Reddy and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu visited Kodandaramaswamy temple on Bodikonda and surveyed the place where desecration of the idol of Lord Rama took place on December 29.

The reason for high drama and tension was the sudden decision of Vijaya Sai Reddy to visit Ramatheertham before the arrival of Chandrababu Naidu. On learning that Vijaya Sai Reddy was visiting the temple, a large number of YSRCP, TDP and BJP activists reached there.

Police pushed aside the activists and, in the melee, a BJP district president Reddy Pavani fell unconscious. Angry TDP cadre and activists of some Hindu organisations reportedly attacked the car of Vijaya Sai Reddy by hurling stones, footwear and water bottles. Car windshield was damaged in the attack.

Addressing party workers Vijaya Sai Reddy alleged that Naidu and Lokesh were responsible for the desecration as they have no fear of God. They are responsible for the demolition of Veyi Kalla Mandapam at Tirumala. Naidu is a brand ambassador for conspiracies, the MP said.

Later, Naidu, who inspected the temple premises, addressed a meeting and accused Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of posing multiple threats to the assets and idols of the temples with utter disrespect for the sentiments of the Hindu devotees in the State.

Naidu said that the Chief Minister has turned out to be a 'betrayer of Hindus' as not a single accused person was arrested so far in over 125 attacks that were made on temples, idols and priests in the past 19 months.

"Jagan Reddy may be a Christian. But trying to use power for converting Hindus is wrong. If people in power resort to religious conversions, it amounts to betrayal," he said.

"One should not show such religious intolerance. 'Jai Shriram' slogan was currently resounding in Ayodhya Rama temple. Similarly, Ramatheertham Rama temple has always been held in high respect in North Andhra. In such a temple, miscreants beheaded Rama statue but the Government was not taking any steps to catch the culprits," he said.

The opposition leader said ruling party leaders had brought disrepute to Tirumala temple with their mean and illegal activities. A YCP MLA would fly drones over the Tirumala sky where such an activity was banned. They also brought in the culture of liquor and meat consumption atop the Seven Hills. The Chief Minister himself has been violating the traditions by not bringing his wife during the sacred clothes presentation to the Lord.

Earlier, Chandrababu Naidu staged a dharna and squatted on the road in protest against the police for creating hurdles to block the TDP leaders' visit to Ramatheertham temple. He lashed out at the police for parking the lorries in the middle of the road to prevent the Opposition leaders' visit. Finally, the police had to relent.