Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jan 17: Sri Vishwaprasanna Swamiji of Pejawar Math has written to union home minister Amit Shah condemining the desecration of the idol of Lord Ram at the ancient Sita Lakshamana Kodandarama temple in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, pointing out that the Andhra government had failed to take action against the miscreants and urging the union government to intervene.

"The recent desecration Lord Ram idol at the ancient Sita Lakshamana Kodandarama temple on the Bodikonda hillock in Ramatheertham of Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, has enraged the entire Hindu community. As you are aware, miscreants broke open the historical temple and desecrated the 400-year-old Ram idol in the sanctum sanctorum. The severed portion of the idol was later retrieved from the nearby temple pond," Pejawar Swamiji told Amit Shah said in his letter.

"The horrific incident took place about 20 days ago, but the Andhra Pradesh government has done precious little to apprehend the miscreants. The state government's indifference in dealing with the issue is quite evident.

"Attack on the Ramatheertham temple is not a stray incident. Andhra Pradesh has been witnessing a series of spiteful incidents of temple vandalism for the past one and half years. The gutting of temple chariots in Bitragunta (Nellore) in February. Antarvedi (East Godavari) in September, and desecration of several Hindu idols at Pithapuram in January are some of the prominent malicious acts reported last year In the past one and half years, as many as 120 attacks have taken place on temples These attacks appear to be premeditated plan.

"Miscreants, as it clearly appears, are resorting to the evil acts because of inaction by the state government, no serious action was taken to trace and arrest the people behind these barbaric incidents of temple vandalism. The state administration has been unresponsive to the call and appeal of the Hindu community to protect the temples.

"These attacks are continuing unabated in Andhra Pradesh. This is a sensitive issue affecting the whole Hindu community. Since the state government is not taking any decisive action to prevent attacks on temples and bring the culprits to book, I urge you to intervene in the issue, especially attack on the Ramatheertham temple, and take stern action against those indulging in these vicious acts," Swamiji urged.