BJP leader calls for statewide protest today in AP over attack on temples

Calling the arrest of BJP AP unit president Veerraju in Vizianagaram district as "illegal", party's general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy has given a call for statewide protest on Wednesday

Calling the arrest of Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh unit president Somu Veerraju in Vizianagaram district as "illegal", party's general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy has given a call for statewide protest on Wednesday (today).

Veerraju and some other leaders were arrested by Vizianagaram Police on Tuesday in Ramatheertham village to prevent them from undertaking 'Dharma Yatra' to Ramateertham temple to protest against the desecration of Lord Rama idol by some unknown miscreants last week.

In a video statement, Reddy called for a statewide protest on Wednesday and condemning the "illegal arrest of Veerraju and party workers." He demanded the police to allow party leaders and workers into Ramateertham temple unconditionally.

"The protest will be held at RDO offices and collector offices in all districts. Party's main demand is to allow BJP leaders to visit Ramateertham temple. The protests will continue till then," he said.

Veerraju and other leaders were able to enter Ramateertham village but were later arrested with the police citing prohibitory orders. Several BJP and Jana Sena Party leaders were put under house arrest on Tuesday to prevent them from taking part in Ramateertham Dharma Yatra.

The BJP and JSP had announced the Ramateertham Dharma Yatra protesting against the vandalisation at Ramatheertham temple.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered a probe by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police into the incidents of alleged vandalization of temples and desecration of idols of various deities. He has asked the police authorities not to spare anybody found guilty.

The idol of Lord Rama was allegedly desecrated at Ramateertham in Vizianagaram district here on December 29 following which a group of BJP workers staged a protest on the temple premises.

On December 31, Andhra Pradesh Police DGP Gautam Sawang had said that investigation is going on in the incident of desecration of Lord Rama idol at Ramateertham.