Bhagwan Ayyappa Swamy devotees protested across the state of Telangana seeking action against Bairi Naresh, reportedly the president of an atheistic organisation, ‘Bharata Nasthika Samajam’ on December 29.
During a public gatheing in Kodangal constituency, Bairi Naresh narrated the Hindu puranic episode of demon Bhasmasura who was killed by Bhagwan Vishnu in Mohini avatara and abused highly revered Bhagwan Ayyappa, Shiva, and Vishnu.
After the video of Bairi’s derogatory remarks went viral on social media, thousands of devotees of Bhagwan Ayyappa have come on roads and held protests across Telangana on 30 December.
The city police’s cyber crime cell booked a case against Bairi Naresh, for allegedly passing derogatory statements against Bhagwan Ayyappa, Shiva, and Vishnu.
The complaint was lodged by a woman named Karate Kalyani who said, “It has become a fashion to disgrace Hindu Gods for publicity and demanded strict action against Naresh for hurting sentiments of Hindus.”
She alleged that the comments were passed with the intention to deeply hurt the sentiments of Hindus.
Amid this controversy, Bairi’s previous videos of hate speeches against Brahmins and Hindu customs have surfaced on social media platforms.
KCR Government encouraging and protecting anti-Hindu forces, alleges BJP leader
BJP spokesperson NV Subhash slammed Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and said that the KCR Government has been encouraging and protecting anti-Hindu forces in the State.
“How can a person dare to use derogatory remarks on Bhagwan Ayyappa Swamy when thousands of people have taken diksha in December and January, the months were known as scared for Ayappa Swamy,” Subhash said.
BJP leader further said, “KCR Government had granted police permission and provided security for the function of Munnawar Faruqui who insulted Hindu Gods in spite of opposition by the majority of people including our party leaders and some organisations.”
“KCR Government has adopted an appeasement policy to get the votes of Muslims and no action was taken against such people. Anybody can abuse Hindu Gods and get exonerated in a State when above 80 per cent population are Hindus,” Subhash lamented.
Meanwhile, the State President of the BJP, Bandi Sanjay, also criticised the ruling K Chandrashekar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi Government and demanded immediate action against the offender for hurting religious sentiments of the Hindus.
Taking to a microblogging platform, Bandi Sanjay commented “Anybody can abuse Hindu Gods in Telangana and get exonerated because the state encourages blasphemy without taking any action! KCR claims to be True Hindu & his Hindutva is real BUT so far what action is taken on insults against Gods Vishnu, Shiva & Ayyappa done in Kodangal?”.
Anybody can abuse Hindu Gods in #Telangana & get exonerated bcos @TelanganaCMO encourages blasphemy without taking any action!
KCR claims to be “True Hindu” & his “Hinduvta is real” BUT so far what action is taken on insults against Gods Vishnu, Shiva & Ayyappa done in Kodangal ?— Bandi Sanjay Kumar (@bandisanjay_bjp) December 30, 2022
VHP and Bajrang dal demands stringent action
Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have also demanded the invocation of the Preventive Detention Act against him for allegedly insulting the Hindu Gods and hurting the sentiments of the devotees of Bhagwan Ayyappa Swamy. The organisations have also given a call for protests across Telangana and demanded stringent action against the culprit.
Each year, millions of Hindus across Bharat take Ayyappa diksha and follow austere practices, particularly in the months of December and January.
Ayyappa diksha is highly popular in Telugu states with lakhs of young Hindu men wearing black robes and leading a disciplined life with devotion for weeks, every year.
