China Jeeyar condemns temple attacks in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Chinna Jeeyar Swamy expressed concern over a series of incidents of idol desecration in the state. Noting that more than 50 such incidents occurred in the state, he called upon the state government to ensure steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The Swamy said that he would take up tour across the state from January 17 seeking protection of temples as they cannot keep quiet when series of incidents of desecration of temples occurring in the state. He said intelligence system should be improved to protect the temples.

Speaking to media persons at Vijaya Keeladri here on Tuesday, the seer said officials should visit the temples attacked by miscreants and take advice of the village elders to protect temples. The government removed the existing system to protect the temples and made them as administrative units. The cameras set up for the surveillance are not working at several temples, he observed.

China Jeeyar said that if the same thing happened in churches or mosques, there would have been a world-wide reaction.

The government should not keep quiet just because no one was questioning the attacks on temples, he said and added that the government should immediately react on such incidents and clarify its stand.

The seer, however, said it was not good to politicise the issue. He said only 19 private temples were in existence and the rest of the temples come under endowments department.