Hyderabad: Early this morning, an unsettling incident took place at the Sri Muthyalamma Temple in Kummarguda, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Market Police Station. Around 4:30 a.m., a man entered the temple and vandalized the main idol inside the sanctum-sanctorum.
Hearing the disturbance, locals quickly rushed to the temple. They managed to catch the man and prevent him from causing more damage. The suspect refused to reveal his identity or reasons for his actions. In the chaos, he was reportedly assaulted by an angry crowd. The police arrived swiftly and arrested him. The man was identified as Salman Salim Thakur, a 30-year-old from Mumbra, Maharashtra. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being placed in custody.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Thakur under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 333, 331(4), 196, 298, and 299. Initial investigations show that he had come to Hyderabad earlier in October for a month-long personality development workshop conducted by the English House Academy at Hotel Metropolis in Secunderabad. Authorities also discovered that this workshop was operating without the necessary legal permissions.
Further investigation into Thakur’s background has revealed more concerning details. Thakur holds a degree in Computer Engineering but has become active on social media, consuming content from controversial Islamic preachers like Zakir Naik, who is currently a fugitive. It appears that Thakur has self-radicalized and developed strong negative views against idol worship, particularly targeting Hindu practices.
Previous Incidents Involving Thakur:
– Case No. 412/2022: In September 2022, Thakur was charged under section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code for entering a Ganesh Pandal in Mumbai while wearing shoes, disrespecting the celebrations.
– Case No. 239/2024: In August 2024, Thakur was involved in another incident at the Sri Manokamana Siddhimahadeva Mandir, where he trespassed and damaged the idol of Lord Shiva. This incident also highlighted his pattern of radicalized behavior.
The investigation is still ongoing, and the police are urging the public to avoid spreading rumors or speculating about the incident. They stress the importance of community cooperation in resolving this sensitive matter.
