Temple protection becomes agenda for local body polls

Protection of Hindu religion has become the urgent need of the hour for both Opposition and ruling parties in Andhra Pradesh, obviously as they are trying to draw in more votes from rival sides in the upcoming local body polls.

The Telugu Desam is going all-out to expose the “failures” of the YSR Congress government in relation to the series of attacks on temples in recent times as also other issues of concern to the majority community. The BJP, the main proponent of Hindutva, woke up late and is, along with alliance partner Jana Sena, is trying to put the government on the mat on these issues.

The YSRC initially seemed banking on its welfare schemes to woo votes to its side, but changed strategy later and positioned itself in retaliatory track. It highlighted instances of temple demolitions during the term of the Telugu Desam government.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced his decision to reconstruct such demolished temples and swiftly laid the foundation stones for some such works, thereby trying to avoid ceding ground to the Opposition and emerging as the more credible protector of Hindu shrines in the state.

The Telugu Desam had started its protests against attacks and desecration of temples six months ago and sought to flare up the Hindutva sentiments after the Antarvedi temple chariot burning incident. The TD tried to project itself as being one up to the BJP’s upholding of the Hindutva cause.