Telangana Ministers Visit Priest of Chilkur Balaji Temple After Assault

Hyderabad, Feb 11 (NationPress) Telangana ministers D. Sridhar Babu and Konda Surekha visited C. S. Rangarajan, the chief priest of Chilkur Balaji temple, who was recently assaulted by the founder and members of the Rama Rajyam organization. Both ministers strongly condemned the attack and offered support to the priest. They emphasized that the government would take decisive action against those inciting hatred and violence under the guise of 'Rama Rajyam'.

“We stand with him against the hatred and violence perpetrated in the name of misguided Rama Rajyam. Such acts will not be tolerated and will be dealt with an iron fist. We will protect our priests, our temples, and our values,” Industry and Information Technology Minister D. Sridhar Babu stated on X after meeting with Rangarajan.

Previously, Endowments Minister Konda Surekha also met with Rangarajan and denounced the attack. She mentioned to the media that the government would support him, asserting that imposing one's beliefs onto others is a violation of freedom of expression. The minister pledged that those responsible for this heinous act would face justice.

“The Congress government remains dedicated to upholding the rights of all faiths, as highlighted in the Indian Constitution. Any form of injustice will not be tolerated,” she remarked.

In a related note, BJP MP D. K. Aruna condemned the attack on Rangarajan. She posted on X that upon learning of the incident, she immediately reached out to Rangarajan to convey her concern. “Such attacks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The government must conduct a thorough investigation into this incident. Appropriate action must be taken against the individual responsible, Raghavareddy. Such acts under the guise of 'Ram Rajya' by groups like Ram Sena are completely unacceptable,” she stated.

“Rangarajan's family, which leads society on a path of devotion through spirituality and service as priests, is invaluable. Everyone must denounce this inhumane attack on such a revered figure,” the MP added.

The Cyberabad Police have apprehended six suspects, including two women, involved in the assault on Rangarajan. The founder of the Rama Rajyam organization and main suspect, Kovvuri Veer Raghava Reddy, was arrested on Sunday following Rangarajan's complaint to the police. Five additional suspects were taken into custody the following day.

According to police reports, approximately 20-25 individuals clad in black attacked Rangarajan at his residence in Chilkur on February 7, demanding financial support and recruitment into the 'Rama Rajyam Army'.

Police stated that Veer Raghava Reddy initiated the 'Rama Rajyam' in 2022 through social media platforms, including Facebook, and operated a YouTube channel. He posted slokas from the Bhagavad Gita and encouraged people to join the Army to safeguard Hindu Dharma. He announced that individuals registering between September 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, would be recruited into the 'Rama Rajyam Army' with a salary of Rs 20,000.

In response to this announcement, 25 members initially met with the accused on January 24, 2025, at Tanuku. After a four-day stay, they traveled to Kotappakonda, where they each contributed Rs 2,000 and had uniforms made by a local tailor. On February 6, after receiving their uniforms, they convened at a private residence in Yapral, Hyderabad, taking photos and videos in uniform with the organization's backdrop. The next day, they traveled to Chilkur in three vehicles and assaulted Rangarajan.