RSS leaders are said to be fuming over the burning of chariot at Antarvedi temple. They are blaming the increasing attacks on Hindu religious places in the state on the state BJP leaders who have joining hands with YSRCP. The RSS top brass is peeved at AP BJP chief Somu Veerraju keeping silent for three days after the burning of chariot. Hence, the VHP and Bajrang Dal have decided to take up the agitation against YSRCP government on their own.
Attack on Minister Vellampalli’s car
Endowments minister Vellampalli Srinivas had to face violent protests when he visited Antarvedi to take stock of the situation post-chariot burning. Some angry protesters even pelted stones at his convoy. The YSRCP government arrested 40 people in this connection. Though the BJP is keeping mum on the arrests, RSS is viewing these arrests very seriously. It is also planning to complain to the Centre on the state government over the arrests.
Sore with state BJP
RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders are irked by the nonchalance of BJP leaders over chariot burning. They want to fight the government on their own, giving no credit to BJP. It is noteworthy that no BJP flag was seen during the large scale protest at Antarvedi. North Andhra chapter of Bajrang Dal has been active in the agitation. Hundreds of RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters reached Antarvedi temple breaking through police barricades while raising ‘Jai Sriram’ slogans. Stunned by the scale of Antarvedi protest, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is reported to have given admonition to endowments minister Srinivas and began damage control measures.
CBI probe
With pressure mounting from his political rivals over chariot burning, Jagan sought CBI inquiry into the incident. The move follows the 11-hour fast by the Dharma Parirakshana Deeksha staged by BJP. Hindu organisations have been saying that it is not the chariot that was burned in Antarvedi but the sentiments of Hindus. In the wake of this incident, the CM is also said to have directed the police to take seriously the incidents of attacks on Hindu places and religious symbols.
