CID personnel have held a pastor named Praveen Chakravarthy in connection with the vandalism of Hindu temples after old video footage of the former admitting to having kicked the idols of Hindu Gods surfaced. The act of inciting religious violence and disruption of communal harmony is indeed condemned by all. However, with the incidents of temple vandalism in the state has drawn immense outrage, the issue is being taken seriously by the police and the state government. It is also being speculated that the government completely failed to curb such incidents.
Complaint filed to Centre in 2019
In fact, pastor Praveen had given a video statement in December 2019. He spoke about the vandalization of Hindu Gods idols, religious conversion and setting up of Christ villages. Now, this issue was highlighted on December 23, 2019, by a website titled ‘swarajmarg.com’ evoking a response from an organization named Legal Rights Forum. Based on the statement given by Praveen as per the video, a complaint was filed against him to the Union Home Secretary and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the video it is evident that the other person appreciates what Praveen says, assuring the latter of funding on an immediate basis. However, no action has been taken by the Centre with regards to the matter till date. Now, with the BJP which is known for its Hindu nationalist agenda and in rule at the Centre failing to take action on the issue has turned sensational.
Praveen Chakravarthy as a pastor has been running Christian educational institutions such as Mother Theresa schools, KTC children home, PVRM educational society, Sylom Blind Centre. On the other hand, there is no news regarding the funding. Earlier, there have been several cases filed against Praveen in the past. A case for cheating a woman on the pretext of marriage had been registered against him in Kakinada Two Town and Sarpavaram Police Stations. The Crime Inspection Department of the state police held Praveen who works out of Kakinada for having uploaded posts with an intent to outrage religious feelings. In the video, Praveen is heard saying that a total of 3,642 pastors are working in his group and that they have succeeded in opening 699 Christ villages. He described Christ villages as those wherein the idols of Hindu Gods are removed and demolished. Now, his explanation to an American benefactor that they would complete setting up 700 Christ villages in a month has kicked up a storm. In this scenario, police have filed cases under 153A,153B, 505, 295A, 115IPC red with 66IT Act and an investigation is underway.