Vandalism incident at Secunderabad’s Muthyalamma Temple stirs tensions

A case has been registered at a Secunderabad police station following the vandalism of a religious idol at a temple in Telangana. In the FIR, an unidentified person has been charged with trespassing, breaking and entering, obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties, fabricating evidence, offending religious feelings and culpable homicide.
The case is regarding vandalism of a religious idol at the Muthyalamma Temple in Kummariguda. The incident came to light on the morning of October 14, when local residents discovered a desecrated idol of Goddess Durga, who is the temple deity. This sparked widespread outrage amongst the community and the worshippers.
According to sources, a group of residents caught the person believed to be responsible for the vandalism, and handed him over to the Market Police Station.
The FIR was filed based on a complaint by a 33-year-old local resident, Chelmela Kiran Kumar.
The police confirmed that the suspect was in custody and an investigation was underway to find the motive behind the vandalism. Authorities are actively questioning witnesses and reviewing the evidence. Meanwhile, the local police increased security around the temple to maintain law and order amid rising tensions in the community.
The vandalism sparked a political debate after BJP leader Madhavi Latha and MLA Rakesh Reddy made inflammatory statements on the incident.
Latha said: “There is an illegal mosque just 10 meters away from the temple where the vandalism took place. The government must take action against it under the HYDRAA demolition process.”
She alleged that the suspect, identified as Salam, had come to the area under the guise of a Jamaat, and Spoken English classes taken by Munavvar Zama, and that he was accompanied by two other individuals during the act. “I demand the Congress government and Revanth Reddy take action,” she added.
Reddy, who visited the temple shortly after the incident, called out to the Hindu community, labelling them ‘cowards’ and ‘gutless’. “My Hindu brothers have no blood or guts left in them”, expressing his frustration over what he perceives as a passive attitude toward such acts of vandalism,” he said.
He further questioned, “Why is it that not a single Hindu has attacked a mosque?” The BJP MLA’s remarks have sparked significant backlash, with many condemning his choice of words.