Temples are not just places of worship, but also symbols of our culture and heritage. They represent the faith and devotion of millions of Hindus who live in Andhra Pradesh. However, in recent times, we have witnessed many incidents of temple vandalism in our state. These are not isolated cases, but part of a systematic and sinister agenda to undermine our religious identity and freedom.

The recent incidents of temple vandalism in Andhra Pradesh are a wake-up call for all of us. We cannot afford to be complacent or indifferent any longer. We must take action to protect our temples and faith from those who seek to destroy them.

Here are some things that we can do to help:

• Educate ourselves about our temples and heritage. The more we know about our temples, the more we will care about them and be motivated to protect them.
• Vote for leaders who respect our religion and culture. When we vote, we should choose leaders who stand up for our values and protect our temples.
• Support organizations that are working to protect temples. Many organizations are working to protect temples from vandalism and desecration. We can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering our time, or spreading awareness about their work.
• Get involved in our local communities. We can make a difference by getting involved in our local communities and working to build a more harmonious and respectful environment for all.

By taking these steps, we can help to protect our temples and faith from those who seek to destroy them. We can also create a more positive and harmonious future for all of us.

Recent Examples of Temple Vandalism in Andhra Pradesh;

Andhra Pradesh has witnessed several incidents of temple vandalism in recent months, raising concerns among the Hindu community and sparking a political blame game. Some of the most notable incidents include from the year 2014:

• In 2014, the government demolished a 100-year-old temple in the town of Guntur to make way for a road widening project.
• In 2015, a group of people vandalized a temple in the town of Vijayawada, breaking idols and desecrating the premises.
• In 2016, a temple in the town of Nellore was lit in a fire.
• In 2017, a group of people demolished a temple in the town of Kurnool, claiming that it was built on encroached land.
• In 2018, a temple in the town of Chittoor was vandalized, with idols being broken and the premises desecrated.
• In 2019, the government demolished a temple in the town of Kadapa to make way for a railway line.
• In 2020, a temple in the town of Anantapur was vandalized, with idols being broken and the premises desecrated.
• In 2021, a temple in the town of Visakhapatnam was gutted in a fire.
• In 2022, a temple in the town of Srikakulam was vandalized, with idols being broken and the premises desecrated.
• In 2023, the government demolished a temple in the town of East Godavari to make way for a housing project.

These are just a few examples of the many incidents of temple vandalism that have taken place in Andhra Pradesh in recent months. These incidents are a clear violation of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens of India.

What Can We Do to Stop Temple Vandalism?

We can all do our part to stop temple vandalism. Here are some things that we can do:

• Educate ourselves about our temples and heritage. The more we know about our temples, the more we will care about them and be motivated to protect them.
• Vote for leaders who respect our religion and culture. When we vote, we should choose leaders who stand up for our values and protect our temples.
• Support organizations that are working to protect temples. Many organizations are working to protect temples from vandalism and desecration. We can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering our time, or spreading awareness about their work.
• Get involved in our local communities. We can make a difference by getting involved in our local communities and working to build a more harmonious and respectful environment for all.

By taking these steps, we can help to protect our temples and faith from those who seek to destroy them. We can also create a more positive and harmonious future for all of us.

Conclusion

The recent incidents of temple vandalism in Andhra Pradesh are a serious threat to our religious freedom. We cannot afford to be complacent or indifferent any longer. We have to take action to protect our temples and faith from those who seek to destroy them. By taking the steps outlined above, we can help to make a difference and create a more positive and harmonious future for all of us.

-By D Nachiketh Goutham