Youth, Radicalised By Zakir Naik’s Teachings, Arrested For Secunderabad Temple Vandalism – News18

A 30-year-old computer engineering graduate named Salman Salim Thakur was arrested on Wednesday for vandalising a religious idol at a temple in Secunderabad, Telangana. According to News18 sources, he became self-radicalised after being inspired by controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik and other hardline Islamists on social media.

The accused was also involved in similar vandalism incidents in Mumbai in 2022, where he entered a Ganesh pandal wearing footwear and attacked locals. He had come to Hyderabad for a month-long personality development course, the sources stated.

Tensions escalated in Secunderabad on Monday following the vandalism at the Muthyalamma temple. A Durga Matha idol was found partially damaged, prompting a large crowd to protest and demand strict action against those responsible.

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has also called on the Congress government in Telangana to take strict action against the culprits, stating, “Hindu society would take a decision” based on how seriously the government responds.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs made these comments to the media after visiting the temple on Monday night, expressing his anger over the incident and the CCTV footage. He alleged that police have blamed mentally unstable individuals for previous attacks on Hindu temples in the state, questioning why such individuals are specifically targeting temples.

Kumar noted that several Hindu temples have been attacked since the Congress government took power 10 months ago, asserting, “Would the situation be the same if the attack took place on any other religion? How would the pseudo secularists behave? Why did no minister of the Congress government visit this temple?”

(With inputs from agencies)