In protest against the attack on Hindu devotees during the annual Veerabhadraswamy Paruveta Utsavam in Rayachoti, Annamayya district, on 4 March, Hindus across the state staged demonstrations following a call by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Andhra Pradesh on 10 March.
At all district centres, mathadhipathis, swamijis, VHP leaders, activists, and various Hindu organisations carried saffron flags, demanding the withdrawal of false cases filed against Hindus. They collectively condemned the repeated attacks on Hindu festivals, celebrations, and processions.
Rayachoti Incident
On 4 March, Hindu devotees in Rayachoti town carried out the Veerabhadraswamy procession through the town’s lanes with prior permission from the authorities. This annual ritual, associated with the nearly 1,300-year-old temple, has been a longstanding tradition, attracting devotees from neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
As the procession reached Tana Junction at around 6 PM, a group of Muslims from a mosque objected, questioning how Hindus dared to participate in the Sri Veerabhadraswamy Paruveta Utsavam with a police escort. Soon, nearly 500 people gathered in the vicinity, shouting threats to kill the devotees and creating an atmosphere of terror. One individual took to the microphone, announcing, “Police ne hamku doka diya”, further inciting the mob. The agitated crowd from around the mosque, as well as from narrow lanes, began pelting stones at the Hindu devotees.
The police, too, came under attack, sustaining injuries as their helmets and shields were damaged. Despite repeated appeals by police officials to de-escalate the situation, the mosque leaders and the mob refused to disperse. As the violence escalated, the police resorted to a lathi charge to restore order. At one point, Superintendent of Police (SP) V. Vidhya Sagar Naidu, IPS, who attempted to reach out to Muslim leaders inside the mosque, was attacked with shoes hurled at him.
Earlier, a peace committee convened before the procession had extended its support for the event. However, despite this, the violent attack occurred.
Later that night, the police filed two separate cases—one against Hindus and another against Muslims. However, contradictions emerged in the versions of police officers. Reserve Police Inspector J. Narasimha Reddy, in his complaint, named 16 Hindus and others as accused and filed a case under sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 132, 109, 196, 351(2), 61(2) r/w 190 BNS-2023.
Meanwhile, Reserve Inspector of Police Mekala Peddaiah filed a case against 17 Muslims and others under sections 189(2), 191(2), 191(3), 132, 109, 196, 351(2), 61(2), 324(4) r/w 190 BNS-2023 and Section 3 of the PDPP Act.
BJP Raises the Issue in Andhra Pradesh Assembly
The issue was raised in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly by Adoni BJP MLA Parthasarathy, who questioned why the police filed serious charges against Hindus while applying comparatively milder sections against Muslims, despite the actual culprits being from the latter group.
He particularly challenged SI Narasimha Reddy, asking on what basis he had named RSS and VHP members as accused. “Does he even know their role? These organisations are known for their selfless service to the nation and Hindus. How can he demean them by filing such a complaint?”
The MLA further criticised the FIR, highlighting that it absurdly claimed the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” provoked the Muslim mob. He questioned, “Is chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ unlawful? Do we need permission to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’? Who is he trying to appease?” Directing his remarks at the Home Minister, he asked, “Why did you fail to make the necessary security arrangements? For the police’s incompetence, you are blaming the RSS!”
He strongly condemned the omission of Muslim organisations operating in Andhra Pradesh from the investigation, demanding an impartial probe. “We warn that RSS and VHP must not be carelessly maligned with vested interests. We demand the police conduct a fair investigation.”
VHP’s Response and Allegations of Police Bias
VHP leaders strongly condemned the police action, accusing them of bias and high-handedness. They argued that while Muslims were the aggressors, openly threatening to kill Hindu devotees, the police unfairly targeted Hindus with arrests.
As per the police, the slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” provoked the Muslim mob, leading to the stone-pelting. However, the Muslim crowd had earlier warned Hindu devotees that they must return through the same lane and would face consequences.
Reacting to this, Dr Shashidhar, VHP’s national spokesperson, questioned, “If ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is provocative, then why is ‘Allahu Akbar,’ which is broadcast daily from mosques, not considered incitement?” He further alleged that the attack by the Muslim mob was a deliberate and pre-planned attempt to assert dominance. “The mentality of questioning ‘How dare you pass through these lanes?’ suggests an alarming mindset, as if public roads in Muslim-populated areas are inaccessible to others.”
Support for Arrested Hindu Devotees
TTD Trust Board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy visited the Hindu devotees who were arrested during the Veerabhadraswamy Paruveta Utsavam and imprisoned in Kadapa Central Jail. He assured them of full support in every way. He urged the state government to immediately identify and strictly punish the religious extremists responsible for the attack and to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
This is not the first time that Hindus and their festivals have been attacked in the state. In 2024, similar incidents occurred in V. Kota (Chittoor district) and Pedana (Krishna district), where Muslims also attacked Hindu devotees and police officers. Despite this, the police refrained from taking action against them. It is regrettable that instead of addressing the mindset of the perpetrators, the police have consistently held Hindus responsible whenever such attacks occur.
Statewide Protests
Protests erupted across multiple towns and districts in Andhra Pradesh:
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Ongole (Prakasam district): A rally was conducted from the Collectorate office to the Nellore bus stand, demanding legal action against those responsible.
Srikakulam: Demonstrators at the Collectorate condemned the attack on Hindu devotees.
Penukonda (Sri Sathya Sai district): A protest rally was taken out from Mitta Anjaneya Swamy Temple to the Sub-Collector’s office.
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Vijayawada (NTR district): A dharna was organised at Dharna Chowk near Alankar Centre, calling for the suspension of the Sub-Inspector involved in the alleged false cases.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district: Protesters criticised police excesses during the festival, demanding immediate government action.
Eluru: Hindu devotees, led by VHP, held a demonstration, displaying placards promoting Hindu unity.
Kakinada: Women protesters actively participated, chanting slogans against the Rayachoti police.
https://x.com/MadhavBJP/status/1898991692235366492
As part of the programme, a massive rally was conducted from the Collectorate office to the Nellore bus stand. A large number of VHP leaders, activists, and Hindu brothers participated, demanding that those responsible for the attack on the Veerabhadraswamy Utsavam be identified and legally punished.
