Akiveedu attack: Build temple for Lord Ram, local deity at same site to end row

Former Amalapuram Member of Parliament G.V. Harsha Kumar on Monday advocated the construction of a temple dedicated to both Lord Ram and the local deity at the same site, in a bid to end the conflict between Dalits and other community members at Pedda Peta in Akiveedu mandal of West Godavari district.

Mr. Harsha Kumar, who has been reportedly placed under house arrest in Rajamahendravaram city while he was proceeding to Bhimavaram to assess the situation in Pedda Peta, through a video message said; “Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivas Varma and Deputy Speaker R. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju have announced plans to renovate the Ram Mandir. Instead, the duo should constitute a committee to hear the concerns of the locals, regarding the disputed place of worship. They must convince the locals and only after obtaining their consent they must proceed with the execution of the proposed renovation.”

It may be recalled that three persons were injured during the clash on March 27 that broke out during Srirama Navami celebrations at the Pedda Peta Ram Mandir. In the clash, Deputy Speaker R. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju reportedly escaped an attack by protesters opposing the renovation of the temple. Police immediately registered cases against 58 persons in connection to the clash.

Commenting on the cases registered against the alleged accused in the clash, Mr. Harsha Kumar alleged that the YSR Congress party had distanced itself from the Dalits of Pedda Peta at a time when they needed their support the most to help them fight for their rights.