A wave of protests erupted in Bhagalpur, Bihar, following the desecration of deities and the theft of valuable ornaments from a well-known Shiv Shakti Mandir in the Sanhaula police jurisdiction. The incident, which took place on Sunday, October 20, sparked widespread anger among the local Hindu community, leading to massive unrest and protests in the area.
According to OpIndia reports, the Shiv Shakti Mandir located near a pond in the Sanhaula area was targeted by miscreants who vandalized the murtis of Bhagwan Ram, Lakshman, Mata Sita, Radha Krishna, and Maa Durga. The damage to these sacred murtis, many of which were over 60 years old, outraged local devotees and stirred tension within the community.
Theft of mandir ornaments
In addition to the vandalism, the jewellery and other ornaments adorning the deities were reported stolen. The estimated value of the stolen items, according to devotees, is around Rs 10 lakh. The police have yet to officially confirm the theft, but the locals are demanding answers and action.
Based on the reports from the Organiser, the incident came to light early Sunday morning, around 7 AM, when the temple Pandit arrived and found six severely damaged murtis. Shocked by what he saw, he immediately alerted the villagers. In response, hundreds of Hindus gathered outside the local police station, blocking roads and staging protests for nearly three hours, demanding justice for the desecration of their temple.
The protests took a violent turn when angry locals, armed with sticks and batons, stormed the police station. Demonstrators blocked the main road connecting Sanhaula and Jharkhand, preventing traffic movement for hours. The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack on the temple and the theft of the ornaments.
In an attempt to calm the situation, a heavy police force was deployed to control the escalating tensions. Superintendent of Police Animesh Naithany confirmed that one man had been arrested in connection with the vandalism. The police stated that the man appeared to be mentally ill and is currently being questioned. However, locals expressed doubts that such extensive damage could have been caused by a single person, calling for a more thorough investigation into the incident.
Allegations of planned attack
While the police continue their investigation, Mandir devotees and residents have alleged that the vandalism and theft were premeditated and possibly orchestrated by more than one individual. Witnesses claim that the Pandit saw a man entering the premises early in the morning. The police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras to identify any additional suspects involved in the attack.
In the wake of the unrest, local authorities held meetings with the peace committee to restore calm in the area. The police conducted a march, and security personnel were deployed to prevent further violence. Although the situation remains tense, negotiations with the protesters led to a peaceful resolution, and the demonstration was called off.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, responding to the incident, made serious allegations, claiming that members of the RJD and Congress were involved in the temple vandalism. He stated, “Some people damaged the temple and the idols in Sanhaula, Bhagalpur, at 5 AM. I have learned from sources that RJD and Congress people are behind this. They want to create riots. This happened after my visit, and I believe Rahul Gandhi has permitted to create riots across the country.”
The district police issued a statement, confirming the incident and urging the public to remain calm. “The incident took place at a mandir near a pond in the Sanhaula police station area last night, where murtis of different deities were vandalized by unidentified persons. The matter was brought to the notice of the local police station,” read the statement. The police further added, “The situation is completely under control, and a flag march was carried out by security personnel in the locality. We request people not to pay attention to rumours.”
Despite the police’s efforts to restore order, the Bhagalpur community remains on edge, with many questioning the administration’s handling of the situation. The investigation is ongoing, and locals continue to call for strict action against those responsible for the desecration of their temple.
Concerning the present incidents, such as the vandalism of the Muthyalamma Mandir in Secunderabad, these acts of desecration highlight the alarming increase in targeted attacks on Hindu temples across Bharat. The involvement of individuals radicalized by Islamist preachers in these incidents shows the growing influence of extremist ideologies aimed at undermining religious harmony. The increasing frequency of such attacks is a clear indication that urgent measures are needed to address radicalization, safeguard religious sites, and ensure the protection of communities from violence driven by hatred and intolerance.
