* Veera Raghava Reddy remanded to judicial custody  

* Also five accused, including two women from Khammam and Nizamabad districts, were arrested and are being produced before the Court 

metro india news  I hyderabad

The recent attack on Chilkur Balaji Temple’s head priest, Rangarajan, has raised concerns over growing religious extremism. Moinabad police on Sunday arrested the prime accused, Veera Raghava Reddy and he was remanded to judicial custody for 14-days.

Statement released from the office of DCP, Rajendranagar Zone, stated that all the accused have been identified. On Monday, the founder of the Sri Ramarajyam organization and main accused, Kovvuri Veer Raghava Reddy (45), resident of Manikonda, native of Koppuru village, Annaparthi Mandal, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh), was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Also five accused, including two women from Khammam and Nizamabad districts, were arrested and are being produced before the Court.

The accused K Veer Raghava Reddy, started ‘Rama Rajyam’ in 2022 on social media platforms, including Facebook, and operated a YouTube channel. He posted Bhagavad Gita slokas and motivated people to join the Army to protect Hindu Dharma. He also 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 post, 25 members first met the accused on January 24, 2025 at Tanuku. After four days of stay, they traveled to Kotappakonda, where they contributed Rs 2,000 each and had uniforms stitched by a local tailor. attack in custodyOn February 6, 2025, after receiving the uniforms, they gathered in an independent house in Yapral, Hyderabad, and took photos and videos in uniform with the organization's backdrop.

On February 7, 2025, they travelled to Chilkur in three vehicles and committed the crime. Efforts are underway to apprehend other suspects involved in the assault, said Police. The attack, which took place on Friday, involved a group of men trespassing into the priest’s residence near the temple and allegedly assaulting him over a religious disagreement. The incident has sparked debates about the increasing influence of radical elements in religious discourse.

Pawan Kalyan calls attack on Chilkur priest 'unfortunate' Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday called the alleged attack on a temple priest near Hyderabad by a mob claiming to be descendants of the Ikshvaku clan—who are on a mission to establish 'Ram Rajya'—unfortunate.

Pawan Kalyan further stated that he was deeply anguished by the incident. Condemning the attack, the actor-politician stated that it should be seen as an assault on efforts to protect the faith rather than just an attack on an individual.

The Janasena chief urged the police to uncover the real motives behind the attack by members claiming to belong to an outfit called Rama Rajyam. "The leader of this mob must be identified and severely punished. The Telangana government should take this attack seriously," he said.

Minister Konda Surekha condemns the attack  Minister for Endowments, Forest and Environmental Konda Surekha strongly condemned the attack on chief priest Rangarajan. Violence in the name of ‘Rama Rajya’ goes against Lord Ram's principles. We will not allow anyone to misuse Hinduism to spread hatred and fear, she said.

She said devotees, citizens, police, and political leaders to unite against such acts of violence. The government will take strict action against those responsible. As the state's Endowment Minister, I assure that the police are investigating the matter, and justice will be delivered soon.

Kishan Reddy demands stern action against accused Union Minister Kishan Reddy strongly condemned the attack on chief priest Rangarajan and demanded stern action against the accused persons, who were involved in the attack on the priest.  Minister said ‘there is no place for such brutal acts, threats and physical attacks in a democracy. This is not just an attack on an individual but an attack on Sanatana Dharma.’