While the attacks on Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh has turned a headache for the ruling party, senior officials in the government speaking against Hindu religion and uploading posts in social media has led to another controversy. Also, these officials who are non-Hindus and heading the investigation of temple attacks are also taking part in privately held religious events.
On the issue of the beheading of the idol of Kodandaram Swamy in Ramatheertham, the government has ordered a CID probe, which is led by IPS officer Sunil Kumar. Many are opposing this appointment. The opposition party leader Chandrababu Naidu has made a sensational comment asking how the government can appoint an officer from another religion to probe the issue of attacks on Ramatheertham. Few other political leaders have also expressed similar views. They have demanded the government to appoint a senior officer from the Reddy community. The YSRCP followers alleged in social media that Chandrababu Naidu and others were indulging in religious politics.
Everyone follows one religion and has its own group. However, there is value for the words of people in government posts. There will be an impact of their words on society. There is a talk that Sunil Kumar’s comments in the program were objectionable. He said, “Britishers gave us gods, taught us the language, introduced schools and because of them we are praying to god.” It has to be said that he not only praised Britishers but also promoted religion and this has become a controversy.
There are talks in social media that his religion should be kept aside and religious colour shouldn’t be imparted on the officer. Many officials including IAS and IPS have appeared in programs belonging to their groups and have given suggestions on how to get developed in the society. The comments of Sunil Kumar were against the prestige of the country. Many are questioning what is the need to heap praises on Britishers. There are doubts expressed that when a person praises Britishers only for Christianity, how can he be impartial on the attacks on Hindu temples.
There is another issue here. During the tussle between the Election Commission and the government when the data issue was raised CID inquiry was ordered. Sunil Kumar was the head of CID but his religion was not an issue then. In the Ramatheertham issue, there were attacks on Hindu temples and bringing a person from other religion that too a person who praised Britishers for his religion had made people question the reason behind handing over the cases to Sunil Kumar.
