It raises questions about the underlying reasons for the rise, especially after a decade of peace under the BRS regime

Hyderabad: The disturbing rise in attacks on religious places, especially temples, in the last month or so in Hyderabad and its suburbs has raised concerns among people about safety and security. A worrying trend has emerged especially in Shamshabad, where desecration and attacks on temples have occurred frequently, adding to the growing list of such incidents in the city. Attacks on religious places have not only raised concerns about personal safety, but also raised questions about the reasons behind this sudden increase, especially after a decade of relative peace under the BRS regime.

The spate of attacks began with the desecration of the Bhoolaxmi temple in Santoshnagar, which led to day-long protests in sensitive pockets of the old city. Soon another incident of vandalism at Durga Pandal, Numaish Grounds took place during Dasara festival. Police swung into action and arrested one Krishna Goud, an alleged ganja addict hailing from Maharashtra and another individual Junaid for the Santoshnagar incident. Police noted that both individuals were experiencing mental health issues.

However, a major incident took place in Secunderabad, where the Muthyalamma Temple was vandalized, leading to widespread protests and a tense situation. The police had to deploy heavy security and use force to control the crowds. The trouble continued for at least a week, and the police turned it into a heavily guarded fortress. The incident brought the city to the brink of a communal conflict with a bandh observed in Secunderabad the day after the incident.

One person, Salim Salman Thakur, a native of Mumbai, was arrested by the police in the temple vandalism case, while in another case, the owners of Hotel Metropolis where Salim was staying were booked for certain violations.

Bigger Conspiracy

Vishwa Hindu Parishad state chapter spokesperson P Balaswamy believes there is a larger conspiracy behind the attacks. “After every incident, the police claim that a mad person or thieves destroyed the idols of the temple. Such incidents have not been reported frequently in the past and how come there is suddenly an increase in these cases? A special investigation team should be constituted to conduct an impartial probe,” he demanded.

While the frequency of attacks in the city has decreased due to increased police presence, incidents have now shifted to the suburbs. In Shamshabad, three temples in Airport Colony, Siddhanti village and Jokul village were targeted within a week, with police arresting three suspects identified as Kripal, Kishore and Salim Arman. “In all three cases we arrested the people and remanded them in custody. There is no particular reason, except for Salim Arman, who is a professional thief. The other two are mentally unstable,” DCP Shamshabad B Rajesh said. Although the police did not attach any specific motive behind the attacks and called the incidents isolated, Hindu organizations claim that the police are hiding the facts and trying to hush up the cases.

Rumors of desecration of temples at Attapur, Mangalhat and Gachibowli kept the pot boiling on Monday. A city-based social activist and executive director of the Confederation of Voluntary Organizations (COVA), Mazher Hussain said that in the last 12 years such incidents were unheard of. “In the last two months, such communal incidents have been reported. The police should study the modus operandi and investigate thoroughly. Simply labeling people as crazy and closing the case will not prevent such incidents. It will only encourage the people behind such incidents,” he said.