Govt Takes Serious Note of Viral Temple Video

Kurnool:The Andhra Pradesh government has taken serious note of a viral video showing a youth lighting a cigarette using a sacred lamp inside a Shiva temple atop Ranamandala Hill in Adoni constituency. The incident has sparked outrage among devotees and prompted a police investigation.

Based on a complaint filed by Boya Shivaraju of Gowlipet, the Adoni One Town Police registered a case for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. In his complaint, Shivaraju alleged that the youth had deliberately disrespected Hindu beliefs by using the temple's sacred lamp to light a cigarette.

Police identified the accused as Vadde Eranna, a resident of Virupapuram village in Adoni mandal, and took him into custody for questioning. During the preliminary investigation, Eranna reportedly told the police that the video had been recorded in 2022 when he, along with two friends, visited the temple during their Class 10 supplementary examination period.

Officials are now investigating how the old video resurfaced and went viral on social media. They are also examining whether there was any larger conspiracy behind the timing of its circulation, particularly in the backdrop of recent controversies related to religious sentiments.

Senior police officials suspect that the video may have been deliberately circulated to disturb communal harmony and law and order. They said a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the facts and take appropriate action.