Scared temple chariot at Lord Rama temple set on fire
Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India 
22 September, 2024
Case Summary
At midnight, a temple chariot at Lord Rama’s temple in Hanakanahal village, Kanekal Mandal, Anantapur district, was set on fire, causing outrage among devotees. Locals who witnessed the fire notified the police and fire services, but despite efforts, the chariot was partially burned before the fire was contained. The chariot, kept in the Ramalayam temple, suffered significant damage. District Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh rushed to the scene to investigate, alongside Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravi Babu of Kalyandurg, who also examined the burnt chariot and questioned locals about the incident. Villagers and fire service officials reported that the fire had already engulfed the chariot by the time they arrived. The police began investigating the case using nearby CCTV footage in an effort to identify those responsible for the arson. This attack on the temple chariot deeply angered devotees, as it was seen as a blatant insult to their religious sentiments. Later, the accused was apprehended. It was the son of the family which has crafted the Ram chariot. The motive of the crime was unknown. The accused was the son of Erriswamy Reddy, Ishwar Reddy.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In this case, there was a strong suspicion that the Lord Ram chariot was burnt out of religious animosity. The desecration of the chariot itself, which is held sacred by Hindus, can be seen as a hate crime. However, in the Hinduphobia Tracker, we are documenting crimes which are driven by religious animosity towards Hindus. While the perpetrator's identity is not essential in determining whether a crime is a result of religious animosity, in this case, it is the member of the family who crafted the Lord Ram chariot. With the police also saying the motive is not clear, it is difficult to conclude just by the details of the case that religious hostility played a role in the crime. For that reason, this case is being added to the undecided database.
Case Status
Complaint registered
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
