'Hindu Army' attacks temple head priest in Telangana; outfit's chief held

Hyderabad: A self-proclaimed 'Hindu Army', with aspirations to establish 'RamaRajya', has stirred up a controversy in Telangana.

The 'army', led by one Kovuri Veera Raghava Reddy, a few days ago attacked the chief priest of the popular Chilukuri Balaji temple in Telangana, CS Rangarajan, after he refused to help them in recruitment and financial aspects.

Clad in black uniforms with saffron scarves, the 'army' went to Rangarajan's residence, which was close to the temple, and allegedly beat him.

Video recording of the incident came out on Sunday, while it took place last Friday. Rangarajan is a popular figure in Telangana. Based on the complaint from Rangarajan, police booked a case and later took the outfit's chief, Raghava Reddy into custody.

“Few individuals who proclaimed themselves as the descendants of the Ikshwaku clan and want to form Rama Rajya in which they create private armies to punish those who do not accept their mission or agenda have not understood the concept of Constitutional Rama Rajya; my son declined to get associated with them. They seriously manhandled my son Rangarajan, who is also the Archaka of the Shri Chilkur Balaji Deity. They landed blows on him in our house at Chilkur, which is adjacent to the Shri Chilkur Balaji temple premises, on February 7, Friday. The police complaint has been filed by my son, and the police are investigating the matter. The police have been requested to go deep into this matter and identify the elements who are supporting them directly and indirectly. By divine grace of Shri Chilkur Balaji deity, my son is safe and continuing our family service to the deity,” said Dr MV Soundararajan, who is also the convenor of the Temple Protection Movement.

In the video, 'RamaRajyam army' chief Raghava Reddy was seen showing his aggression by hurling abuses on Rangarajan, who was seated on the floor. In the past, Reddy had shared videos that were provocative in nature on social media.

According to him, the current criminal justice system in place is "evil" and only defends wealthy criminals, and "no dharma is seen in the process".

"Anyone paying a fee to the litigant and going around the court can never hope for justice. Hiranya–Kashyapa and Ravana in earlier times had bounties and protective shields. Now, the judges and the police are using Section 77 of IPC, the Judges Protection Act, Section 197 of CrPC, and Article 124 (4) of the Constitution of India as the protective shields to commit evil crimes."

His website states -- "As a witness of Sri Hari, who broke through Ravana and Hiranya–Kashyapa's protections, 'Rama Rajyam' will ensure the establishment of Dharma and stand with those who have been hurt by the current evil system. This is because the justice and police systems have become obstacles to the protection of law and it serves only evil."

Reacting to the incident, BRS working president K T Rama Rao visited Rangarajan on Monday and demanded the government to take action. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy spoke to Rangarajan over the phone.