400-Year Old Lord Ram Statue Vandalised In AP, Triggers Protests Against CM Jagan Reddy

Targeting the government, Jana Sena Chief and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan said, "Lord Rama’s idol persecuted, while Ram Mandir is being built in Ayodhya.”

YSR Congress chief, Jagan Mohan Reddy gestures during a protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, in New Delhi on February 17, 2104. YSR Congress, which is stiffly opposing the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, sought Left support for stalling the creation of Telangana state and asking all opposition parties to oppose its creation. AFP PHOTO/ SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP)

A massive protest has been triggered against the Jagan Mohan Reddy led government after a 400-year-old idol of Lord Ram was vandalised at the Ramateertham temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district. As per official reports, unidentified miscreants allegedly broke open the lock of the temple and "separated" the head of Lord Ram from the bust. The idol of the ancient temple was found vandalised with its head missing on Tuesday morning by priests. It is reported that later several portions of the idol were found in a nearby pond. The Vizianagaram police have formed five teams and are already investigating the matter. READ | BJP In 'Shock' As Lone MLA In Kerala Assembly Supports Resolution Against Farm Laws Targeting the government, Jana Sena Chief and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan said, "Lord Rama’s idol persecuted, while Ram Mandir is being built in Ayodhya.” "They have resorted to evil acts in the historical temple because the state government acted adamantly without any seriousness on the incidents of Pithapuram, Konda Bitragunta, and Antarvedi. The accused in the burning down of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple chariot in Antarvedi and people behind the barbaric act have not been traced and arrested till now,"  Pawan Kalyan added. Kalyan, who is a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), asked the Union Home Ministry to be vigilant on such incidents of attacks on temples and idols that have been happening for the last one-and-half year in the state. "A CBI probe must be ordered on the series of incidents," demanded Pawan Kalyan. TDP Chief and former Chief Minister of the state N Chandrababu Naidu said that in the state ruled by Jagan Mohan Reddy, not only the people but even the temple idols aren’t safe. The TDP chief blamed the ruling government for the vandalism and alleged that the CM was just watching the attacks on temples like a ‘silent spectator'. "In the last 19 months, over 120 attacks took place on temples. These attacks were going on according to a premeditated plan. Over 23 idols were demolished in six temples at Pithapuram. Durgamma temple was brought down in Guntur," said Naidu, demanding stringent action against the culprits responsible for the Ramatheertham incident. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) also lashed out at the state government, Sunil Deodhar, BJP secretary and co-in charge of the state took to Twitter and said, “Beheading of 400-year-old sacred Lord Ram's idol in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh day is horrific. Authorities have not arrested anyone responsible for attacking the Uttarandhra Ayodhya temple so far, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s inaction in temple attacks shows tacit support.”