Temple Vandalized 3 Times In A Row: Is It Due To A Christian Priest’s Comments?

Temple Vandalized: A group of people vandalized a temple and destroyed Idols in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari. It was the third time the group had attacked the temple. Villagers claimed that a Christian priest’s remarks on the temple being the “abode of satan” incited the attacks.

The first incident of vandalism was reported on December 25, when a man identified as Sajin broke the main idol of the Isakkiyamman temple in Thottuthuvilai, near Viyannur. Locals filed a police complaint against him, and he was arrested. Later, he was released on bail. However, on December 29, Sajin, along with a group of accomplices, allegedly vandalized the temple again, damaging the compound wall.

As per sources, during his interrogation, Sajin told police that a Christian priest told him the temple was the “abode of Satan” and it should be destroyed.

As per locals, the most recent attack on the temple occurred on January 1 at around 11 pm. Sajin and five of his accomplices reportedly entered the temple and broke many other idols. Hearing this commotion, villagers rushed to the temple, which caused the group to flee.

The repeated vandalism garnered widespread attention after videos of the vandalized temple were widely shared on social media.

Rishi, a local, told reporters, “This is an ancient temple that we renovated and have been worshipping at for the past 12 years. Sajin first broke the Amman idol. Then he was arrested and got bail. After being released, he returned to the temple and damaged the compound wall. Just yesterday, he was released once again, and the same night, he destroyed the Madan idol. He clearly stated that he wouldn’t let the temple exist, since his his priest told him that it should be destroyed. We want protection for our temple and our people.”

Police are searching for Sajin and his associates.

Sajin is the son of a local resident named, Krishnan. Sajin’s brother Sundar reportedly owns the land on which the temple is built. Some people alleged that Sundar and Krishnan had disputes over property division. Police are investigating the case in every possible angle, including the property division.