Tadepalli / Draksharamam / Anantapur, Dec 31:
YSR Congress Party leaders strongly condemned the vandalisation of the ancient Shiva Lingam at the Kapaleswara Swamy shrine in Draksharamam, calling it a direct attack on Hindu faith and a reflection of the coalition government’s complete failure to protect temples. The incident occurred on the sacred occasion of Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadashi at the Bhimeswara Temple complex, located on the banks of the Sapta Godavari. Leaders said the destruction of the Lingam at such a historically and spiritually significant site exposes the absence of vigilance, accountability, and sincere commitment to safeguarding Hindu religious institutions.
After inspecting the spot, YSRCP leaders stated that the vandalism of a centuries-old Shiva Lingam is not a minor incident but a deeply sensitive matter connected to the faith and beliefs of crores of devotees. They expressed anguish that even such an ancient and revered Pancharama kshetram was left vulnerable under the present coalition rule. They questioned how unidentified persons could enter the temple premises and commit such an act, pointing to serious lapses in security and supervision. They also criticised the manner in which a new Shiva Lingam was hurriedly installed without following proper Agama Shastra procedures, including samprokshanam and prescribed rituals, calling it a violation of religious tradition.
YSRCP leaders said the coalition government lacks sincerity in protecting Hindu dharma and has reduced temple administration to chaos. They pointed out that despite repeated incidents, the government has failed to ensure accountability. The destruction of the Shiva Lingam, they said, is not an isolated act but part of a growing pattern of neglect and insensitivity toward temples under the present regime. They questioned why there was urgency to hurriedly replace the Lingam without following scriptural norms, instead of conducting a transparent inquiry and performing proper purification rituals.
Referring to related developments, party leaders also highlighted the disturbing incident at the Simhachalam temple, where a snail was found in the prasadam. Instead of fixing responsibility or addressing lapses in hygiene and supervision, authorities filed criminal cases against the devotees who brought the issue to public attention. They termed this approach dangerous and authoritarian, stating that punishing devotees for exposing negligence reflects misuse of power and a mindset that prioritises silencing voices over correcting failures. Filing non-bailable cases against devotees, they said, amounts to treating faith and believers as enemies.
They further pointed out the incident at Vijayawada’s Kanaka Durga Temple, where electricity supply was abruptly cut, causing hardship to devotees. The power disruption, caused by administrative failure and lack of coordination between departments, once again showed how poorly temple affairs are being handled. Even at one of the state’s most prominent shrines, essential services were disrupted, reflecting deep administrative negligence.
The leaders also referred to repeated vigilance failures at Tirumala, including the recent incident in which a TTD Board member’s family was seen entering the temple with electronic gadgets, despite strict prohibitions. Such lapses, they said, expose double standards, where rules apply to ordinary devotees but not to those close to power. This selective enforcement has eroded public trust and highlighted the collapse of discipline within temple administration.
They asserted that these four incidents, all occurring within a span of just a few days, reveal a disturbing pattern rather than isolated lapses. From idol vandalism and mismanagement of rituals to harassment of devotees, power cuts at temples, and selective application of rules, the coalition government has failed to uphold its responsibility toward Hindu institutions. They said the repeated use of religion for political convenience, coupled with neglect of actual temple protection, has weakened the sanctity of sacred spaces.
Concluding, YSRCP leaders said that the people of Andhra Pradesh are witnessing how faith is being undermined by negligence and political interference under the present government. They demanded accountability, strict action against those responsible for the desecration at Draksharamam, proper and scripturally valid restoration of the Shiva Lingam, protection for devotees who raise concerns, and a complete overhaul of temple administration. They asserted that safeguarding Hindu temples is not about slogans or rhetoric, but about sincere governance, respect for tradition, and accountability — all of which are visibly missing under the current coalition rule.
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