A massive protest was held on Wednesday in response to the vandalism of Navagraha idols inside the Hanuman temple in Shamshabad Airport Colony. Hindu organizations and local leaders led the protest, demanding immediate action against the culprits. The demonstration, starting from Shamshabad Bus Stand to the DCP’s office, saw a significant turnout from BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and young from all sections of society. Hindus called for strict action against those responsible for the vandalism, with protestors urging the Telangana Congress government to take immediate measures to protect temples across the state.
The protest follows an incident on Monday when miscreants attacked the Hanuman temple in Shamshabad Airport Colony, damaging the Navagraha idols inside. Devotees arriving for morning prayers discovered the vandalism and promptly alerted the police. Police said they are reviewing the CCTV footage to identify the culprits. This colony is located in Shamshabad town, near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Today Hindus staged a massive protest in response to the vandalism of Navagraha idols inside the Hanuman temple in Shamshabad Airport Colony. pic.twitter.com/5jyCpZpgmZ
— VSK Telangana (@vskts) November 6, 2024
The protestors concluded their rally near the Ambedkar statue in Shamshabad, vowing to protect temples if the Congress government failed to act. The Hindu leaders pledging continued efforts to safeguard their cultural and religious heritage. The Shamshabad police deployed additional security forces, with DCP Rajesh and ACP Srinivas overseeing the arrangements.
శంషాబాద్ ఏయిర్పోర్ట్ కాలనీలోని ఆంజనేయ స్వామి దేవాలయంలో విగ్రహాలు ధ్వంసం చేసిన దుండగులను కఠినంగా శిక్షించాలని డిమాండ్ చేస్తూ బజరంగ్దళ్, విశ్వహిందూ పరిషత్, హిందూ వాహిని, ఆధ్వర్యంలో నిరసన కార్యక్రమంలో పాల్గొన్న బీజేవైఎం తెలంగాణ రాష్ట్ర అధ్యక్షులు శ్రీ @mahendersevalla గారు… pic.twitter.com/Y6pAw9pWRN
— BJYM Telangana (@BJYMinTG) November 6, 2024
However, tensions escalated as protestors questioned why the police had attempted to block the rally, with some alleging that Hindus were unfairly targeted while the attackers remained unpunished.
Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar, the national spokesperson for VHP, called for “decisive action” against what he termed “Islamic fundamentalists” targeting temples.
Speaking with Organiser, Dr Shashidhar, said, “The Congress government has failed to prevent the ongoing attacks on temples in Telangana. There is concern that the police might dismiss this incident as the act of yet another ‘madman.’ Instead, strict action must be taken against the Islamic fundamentalism targeting these temples.”
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, expressed his outrage on ‘X’, stating, “The silence of the Congress government and CM Revanth Reddy Garu on these repeated attacks against temples is deeply troubling for Hindus. This silence reveals whose interests they are truly protecting and exposes the underlying appeasement politics at play.”
Strongly condemn the attack on the Shamshabad Airport Colony temple.
The Congress government and the CM Revanth Reddy Garu’s silence on these repeated temple attacks is deeply concerning for Hindus. This silence makes it clear whose side they’re truly on and the underlying… pic.twitter.com/WZCj1pd2j9
— Bandi Sanjay Kumar (@bandisanjay_bjp) November 5, 2024
Chevella MP, representing the Shamshabad area, who visited the site, condemned the attack as part of an ongoing series of offenses against Hindu places of worship. In a statement shared on X, the MP expressed “It is unfortunate that last night some unknown people destroyed the Navagraha idols in the Hanuman temple within the airport colony limits of Shamshabad.” Calling for a thorough investigation, he stated, “It is high time to conduct a CBI or NIA inquiry to identify the culprits and ensure they are punished as per the law.”
It is unfortunate that,last night some unknown people destroyed Navagraha idols in Hanuman temple within the limits of the airport colony shamshabad
In recent times there have been numerous attacks on Hindu temples in Telangana. Had the state government taken appropriate action… pic.twitter.com/ZW9GXqOrQH— Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (@KVishReddy) November 5, 2024
Addressing the protestors, BJP leader Bandi Sanjay criticized the Congress government, claiming that attacks on Hindu temples have increased under CM Revanth Reddy’s leadership. He alleged that government inaction and negligence have emboldened vandals, and demanded swift identification and punishment of the perpetrators.
Vinod Bansal, VHP national spokesperson’s statement on X: “The locals are asking whether these incidents are in any way connected to the ongoing visit of IOP Rahul Gandhi to the city. Will this “Janeudhari Hindu” visit any of the desecrated temples and instruct his leaders to apprehend the culprits, while ensuring the safety and security of the Hindu community and its religious institutions?”
See the list of temples recently attacked in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) recently:
(1) Bhulaxmi Temple – Rakshapuram.
(2) Mathaji temple-Shivaji Nagar
(3) Matha temple-Amberpet
(4) Mathaji Idol damageded in Exhibition ground
(5) Muthyalamma Temple, Secunderabad
Now Navagraha idols…— विनोद बंसल Vinod Bansal বিনোদ বনসল వినోద్ బన్సాల్ (@vinod_bansal) November 6, 2024
In recent months, Hyderabad has witnessed a disturbing series of temple attacks, raising concerns about the safety of Hindu religious sites. The list of temples targeted includes the Bhulaxmi Temple in Rakshapuram, the Mathaji Temple in Shivaji Nagar, and the Matha Temple in Amberpet. Additionally, a Mathaji idol was damaged at the Exhibition Grounds, and the Muthyalamma Temple in Secunderabad was desecrated. Most recently, this Tuesday morning, the Navagraha idols at the Hanuman Temple in Shamshabad Airport Colony were found damaged. These repeated attacks have sparked outrage, with many believing they are part of a deliberate pattern to terrorize Hindu devotees and undermine their religious practices, prompting calls for immediate action to safeguard these sacred spaces.
