Telangana : Atheist Bairi Naresh arrested for derogatory remarks against Shri Ayyappa Swamy

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and various Hindu organisations had agitated in Bhagyanagar

Bhagyanagar (Telangana) – On 31st December, Telangana Police arrested Bairi Naresh, who identifies himself as an ‘atheist’, for derogatory remarks against Shri Ayyappa Swamy and other Hindu Deities. Naresh is the State President of Bharata Nasthika Samajam (BNS). He was arrested in the Hanamkonda District. As per reports, a case was filed against him over complaints by Shri Ayyapa Swamy devotees after he made derogatory comments. The case against him was filed under Sections 153A, 295A, 208 and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Multiple cases against him have been filed in Police stations across States.

Reportedly, on 29th December, Naresh attended a meeting of Dalit groups in Kondagal, where he made derogatory remarks against Shri Ayyappa while talking about His birth and used defamatory language against Deity Shiva and Shri Vishnu. The video of his remarks went viral on social media, leading to protests.

On 30th December, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and various Hindu organisations such as Bhagyanagar Ayyappa Seva Samiti, All India Ayyappa Seva Samiti agitated in front of the Police Commissioner’s office in Bhagyanagar.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh state co-ordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Shri. Chetan Gadi speaking during the agitation

Mr Chetan Gadi (State Coordinator of HJS) said that the BNS has deliberately organised atheist meetings at various places to insult the Hindu Dharma. Describing themselves as Ambedkarites, these people keep commenting on Hindu Deities and Hindu Dharma. Mr Gadi pointedly asked – What is the purpose of BNS ? Which forces are working behind it – Missionaries, Islamic forces or Communists ? These people are working with an agenda to separate the SC and ST class from the Hindu society. This should be investigated by the Union Government and BNS should be banned, as such incidents are taking place repeatedly. Many people such as Rangerla Rajesh, Bairi Naresh, RS Praveen Kumar make fun of Hinduism in public gatherings and play with the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Mr Bandi Sanjay (State President of BJP) tweeted, “Anybody can abuse Hindu Gods in Telangana and get away with it because the State encourages blasphemy and does not punish the guilty ! KCR, the Chief Minister, claims to be a true Hindu, but so far what action has been taken against people who have insulted Vishnu, Shiva & Ayyappa ?”