In a shocking and violent incident that unfolded in Rayachoti, Andhra Pradesh, a bus carrying Hindu devotees of Bhagwan Ayyappa was attacked by an Islamist mob. Based on the reports from OpIndia, the bus, which was playing devotional songs associated with the Ayyappa pilgrimage, came under attack after the mob alleged that the volume of the music was too loud, disturbing the peace in the area. The mob, reportedly consisting of a large group of Islamists, demanded that the devotees stop playing the music, but the situation escalated quickly.
Instead of resolving the issue peacefully, the Islamist mob turned violent, assaulting the passengers onboard, including the driver of the bus. In disturbing videos that later went viral on social media, the large crowd is seen surrounding the bus, hurling abuse, and creating a scene of chaos. The Islamist mob proceeded to smash the windows of the bus, severely damaging the vehicle. As the situation deteriorated, the street was completely blocked by the Islamist mob, leaving vehicles stranded and commuters unable to proceed.
The police, who arrived on the scene, appeared to struggle in controlling the situation, and the crowd continued to create a ruckus. The video footage clearly shows that the Islamist attackers were primarily wearing skull caps, marking them as Islamist individuals. This further led to widespread outrage, as many people pointed out that such attacks on Hindu religious practices were becoming increasingly common in the region.
In response to the incident, Andhra Pradesh BJP President Vishnu Vardhan Reddy condemned the attack and called for urgent action from the authorities. He posted a video on social media, expressing his concern over the attack on Ayyappa devotees and highlighting that similar incidents involving assaults on Hindu pilgrims and religious practices had been occurring with alarming frequency. Reddy stressed that the state government, under the leadership of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), had failed to take appropriate action in previous cases of similar attacks. He urged the authorities to reopen old cases and ensure justice for the victims of such violent acts.
Reddy also pointed out the hypocrisy in the situation, drawing attention to the fact that loudspeakers used for religious activities, such as the azaan, are heard multiple times a day throughout the country, often at high volumes, without any objection. He suggested that the double standards in the way religious expressions were treated were deeply concerning and were contributing to rising tensions between communities. Reddy demanded that the government take strict measures to ensure the safety and security of Hindu devotees, particularly those participating in religious yatras and pilgrimages.
A recent report by Hindu Post highlights the increasing frequency of attacks and violence against Hindus during festivals such as Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and similar occasions. The latest incident involving an attack on Ayyappa devotees further underscores this alarming trend.
This attack on a bus carrying Hindu devotees is a serious incident that raises concerns about religious intolerance and the radical actions of Islamist extremists. It reflects a growing intolerance towards Hindu religious practices and a failure by authorities to address the rising communal tensions. As such incidents continue to unfold, there is an urgent need for the government to take strong and decisive actions to ensure that such attacks by the radical Islamist elements are not repeated and that the rights of Hindu devotees to practice their religion peacefully are upheld.
