Andhra CM Jagan breaks silence on Hindu temples' vandalism; sees political conspiracy

Breaking his silence on incidents of idol desecration in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday has pointed out that all attacks took place before launch of Government programs. Hinting at an Opposition conspiracy behind incidents, Reddy cited nine instances where attack on temples coincided with launch of various welfare schemes by his government. Andhra CM also described attacks on temples as "political guerrilla warfare" intended to defame Andhra Police and divert attention of people from work that his government is doing.

Citing that  attacks are happening in remote areas and that temples are t under  Endowments Department, Reddy added that his government has installed CCTV cameras in as many as 20,000 temples. He also directed Andhra Police to come up with plans to prevent such attacks, while inaugurating AP State Police Duty Meet titled 'Ignite', virtually from Camp Office in Tadepalli. Jagan Mohan Reddy also squarely blamed Chandrababu Naidu's party for attacks stating that temples where descretion took place are owned by TDP.

Jagan said, “Who benefits from smashing idols of God? Who benefits from anarchy in temples and chapels? Who benefits from provoking emotions and committing violence? Who benefits from making false propaganda that hurts people's faith? Vested interests are stooping to level of even desecrating temples to gain political mile. y are trying to divert public attention from government programs by resorting to attacks on temples."

READ | After Lord Rama, ar deity's idol desecrated in Andhra Pradesh; 2nd incident in a week

A 400-year-old idol of Lord Rama at Sri Rama Swamy Devasthanam in Vizianagaram district and Lord Subrahmanya Swamy's idol in Lord Vigneshwara temple of Rajahmundry district were found in a desecrated condition, bringing Jagan Mohan-led Andhra government under fierce criticism. While Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has demanded a CBI probe, BJP's state in-charge Sunil Deodhar compared current spate of attacks on temples to destruction of Goa temples in 16th century. Terming vandalization of Lord Ram's idol as "horrific", he claimed that AP government was tacitly supporting a "particular religion". Moreover, he lambasted police's failure to catch culprits. Moreover, even as Andha government faced backlash, BJP's Sunil Deodhar on Sunday said that a Goddess Sita idol was found broken in Sitaram Temple near Pandit Nehru Busstop in Vijayawada.

READ | SC stays Andhra HC's order on 'constitutional breakdown in state'; calls it 'disturbing'

Andhra govt sacks TDP leader 

Amid uproar over vandalization, Andhra Pradesh government squarely placed blame on a senior TDP leader.  According to a government memo dated January 2, former Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has been sacked as Chairman of Trust board for t only shrine where vandalization took place but also Sri Pyditalli Ammavari Devasthanam and Sri Mandeswara Swamy Temple. This action has been taken in accordance with Section 28 of Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act. Alleging that he failed to discharge his "legitimate duties", Raju has been accused of neglecting security aspects of temple in connection with vandalization of Lord Ram's idol. 

READ | 'CM Jagan Betrayer Of Hindus; May Be Christian': Chandrababu Naidu Slams Idol Desecration

READ | Andhra govt sacks TDP leader as Temple Trust chairman after vandalization of Lord Ram idol