Attack on temples: Andhra govt sets up SIT to investigate cases

After a series of attacks on temples in the state, the Andhra Pradesh govt has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to pursue cases of attacks on temples and destruction of idols. The team will investigate cases of vandalism of idols since September.

Visakhapatnam: After aseries of attacks on temples in the state, the government is on high alert. Due to attacks on temples every day somewhere or other, the state government has initiated corrective steps and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to pursue cases of attacks on temples and destruction of idols. The team will investigate cases of vandalism of idols since September. The government, on the other hand, has decided to constitute committees with representatives of all religions and monitor the situation.

The state government is all set to put a check on the politics centred around attacks on temples and destruction of idols. Orders have been issued to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to prevent a series of attacks on temples. The SIT was formed with 16 officers under the leadership of Ashok Kumar, Assistant Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau. The SIT will investigate cases of vandalism of statues since September. The government has instructed the team to investigate the attacks and file charge sheets in the courts.

A meeting of the religious harmony committee meeting was held at the Secretariat on Friday. Senior Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, Home Minister Mekatoti Sucharitha, Endowments Minister Vellampally Srinivas, Minority Affairs Minister Amzad Basha met representatives of various religions. Minister Botsa announced that committees would be set up with representatives of all religions at the district level. He accused that some evil forces are carrying out attacks on temples to destabilize the government. The minister alleged that lies were being spread on social media to create unrest among the people by attacking sparsely visited temples.

Attacks on temples

In peaceful Andhra Pradesh, incidents of attacks on temples are creating unrest. Tensions are high as the issue turned political. The government and the opposition are at loggerheads with each other. Temples are often raided for treasure hunting, theft of jewellery and idol smuggling. Similar incidents have happened many times before. However, it is clear that the current situation is different. The temples where the attacks took place are not even that old. Some charities say it appears to be targeting a group.

Ranging from the destruction of idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses in Pithapuram in East Godavari district to the destruction of a statue of Lord Rama in Ramathiratham in Vijayanagaram district there were about 150 incidents in AP since January last year. Incidents of burning of Prasanna Venkateswaraswamy temple chariot in Nellore, Lakshminarasimhaswamy chariots in Antarvedi and theft of silver lions of Sri Kanaka Durga temple chariot in Vijayawada have raised concerns among the people.

Political turmoil

The main opposition Telugu Desam, the BJP and Janasena parties have been criticizing the government over temple attacks in the state. The political turmoil intensified with the demolition of the idol of Lord Rama at Ramathiratham in Vijayanagar district. Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu's visit to Ramatirtham amid police obstruction and the police blocking the visit of BJP leaders have heightened the concerns. BJP state president Somu Veerraju, MP GVL Narasimha Rao and others were arrested by the police.

Who is behind the scenes?

Why are temples being attacked? Who is doing it? Investigative agencies have no answer to such questions. In the incident of destruction of the idol of Lord Rama in the Ramatirtham temple, silver ornaments of the deity were not stolen. This has happened in a number of cases coming to light in connection with the damage to temples in the state. Due to this, devotees and Hindu communities are commenting that the intention of those who are doing these things is clear. Despite this, there are criticisms that not apprehending the culprits will lead to more incidents.

Where is surveillance?

Following the Antarvedi incident, orders were issued by the Revenue Department and the Police Department to set up CCTV cameras at all temples. Although some temples provide this facility, most temples are still far from CCTV surveillance. State DGP Gautam Sawang has issued clear directions to all district SPs and police commissioners on the latest developments. Constant surveillance, patrolling and visible policing were ordered at temples and prayer halls.

Anxiety among devotees

Although the government has taken the incidents of attacks on temples seriously, there is concern among devotees as the destruction of idols continues. They want to quickly identify those responsible and find out who is behind the events and punish the culprits severely.