Hyderabad: In a significant development, five individuals have been arrested in connection with attack on Hyderabad temple priest, C.S. Rangarajan, in Hyderabad. This brings the total number of arrests to six, following the earlier apprehension of the main accused, Kovvuri Veer Raghava Reddy.
The incident occurred on February 7, 2025, when a group of 20 to 25 individuals, dressed in black uniforms, forcibly entered Rangarajan’s residence near the temple premises and then got arrested for attack on Hyderabad temple priest. They demanded financial support and sought assistance in recruiting members for their organization, ‘Rama Rajyam Army.’ Upon facing refusal, the group assaulted the priest and recorded videos of the confrontation.
Investigations revealed that the people who were responsible for attack on Hyderabad temple priest were associated with ‘Rama Rajyam,’ an organization founded by Veer Raghava Reddy in 2022. Reddy, a self-proclaimed descendant of the Ikshvaku clan, established the group to promote Hindu Dharma. He utilized social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, to disseminate Bhagavad Gita slokas and encourage individuals to join the ‘Rama Rajyam Army.’ Notably, he promised recruits a monthly salary of Rs 20,000.
In response to Reddy’s online recruitment drive, approximately 25 individuals expressed interest and gathered in Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh, on January 24, 2025. After a four-day stay, they traveled to Kotappakonda, where they each contributed Rs 2,000 to have uniforms tailored. On February 6, the group assembled at a residence in Yapral, donned their uniforms, and captured photos and videos with the organization’s banner as a backdrop.
Following the attack on the Hyderabad temple priest, the Hyderabad police swiftly initiated an investigation. The main accused, Veer Raghava Reddy, was apprehended on February 9, 2025. Subsequently, five more individuals, including two women from Khammam and Nizamabad districts, were arrested. All six accused have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.
The assault on the revered priest has elicited widespread condemnation. Telangana ministers D. Sridhar Babu and Konda Surekha visited Rangarajan to express their solidarity and assured that the government would take stringent action against those responsible. Minister Sridhar Babu emphasized, “We stand with him against the hatred and violence perpetrated in the name of misguided Rama Rajyam. Such acts will not be tolerated and will be dealt with an iron fist.”
BJP MP D.K. Aruna also denounced the attack, stating that such actions are unacceptable and calling for a thorough investigation to ensure appropriate action against the perpetrators.
The arrests related to the attack on the Hyderabad temple priest highlight the authorities’ commitment to addressing such offenses. The promise of a Rs 20,000 salary to recruits underscores the organized nature of the group involved. As the investigation progresses, further details are anticipated to shed light on the motives and operations of the ‘Rama Rajyam’ organization.
