A man has been detained for allegedly desecrating a century-old Shiva Lingam at the historic Draksharamam temple in Andhra Pradesh, an incident that briefly triggered protests and concerns over communal harmony in the region. The vandalism occurred in the early hours of Tuesday on Vaikunta Ekadasi, a highly auspicious day for devotees.
According to police, the suspect has been identified as Neelam Srinivas, a resident of Thotapeta village. District Superintendent of Police Rahul Meena told NDTV that Srinivas was spotted on high-definition CCTV footage near Kapileswar Ghat, close to the Sapta Godavari canal bank, around the time the incident took place. Acting swiftly, four special police teams were formed, leading to his detention after a brief manhunt.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the act was not part of any organised or communal conspiracy. Police sources said the suspect may have acted out of personal anger following a recent heated dispute with a local temple priest over the performance of certain rituals. Investigators believe the vandalism could have been an act of retaliation against the temple administration rather than an attempt to disturb communal peace.
The incident sparked anxiety among devotees and locals, prompting heightened security in the temple town. However, authorities moved quickly to restore normalcy. A new Shiva Lingam was ceremoniously reinstalled at the site shortly after the incident to pacify devotees and restore the sanctity of the ghat.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, stressing that the law would take its course irrespective of the suspect’s background or affiliations. Police have also announced permanent deployment of additional personnel and installation of more CCTV cameras along the Sapta Godavari riverfront to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Formal charges are expected to be filed once preliminary questioning is completed. Officials said maintaining peace and protecting religious sites remain a top priority for the state administration.
