Hyderabad: In a shocking incident, a man named Srinivas Reddy, also known as Pedda, from Andhra Pradesh, has been harassing devotees at the historic Sri Soudamma Mallikarjuna temple in Navodaya Colony, Ellareddy Guda. Pedda, allegedly cursing and threatening devotees, is said to have created an atmosphere of fear around the temple, with locals expressing concern over the safety of visitors.
The Sri Soudamma Mallikarjuna temple, located behind the Ganapathi Complex, has a history spanning nearly a century. It is believed to have been serving the local community for over 100 years, with a poor family traditionally overseeing its upkeep. The family has a deep connection to the temple, believing in its spiritual significance, and has continued to live near the temple for generations. However, allegations have surfaced suggesting that certain individuals, including those from Andhra Pradesh, are attempting to encroach upon the temple’s land, sparking tensions in the community. (Hyderabad )
Pedda, who is reportedly at the center of these allegations, intimidating devotees with violent threats. According to eyewitnesses, he has been seen openly cursing those who attempt to visit the temple, even going so far as to say that he would “kill, stab, and cut” anyone who dared enter. Locals have expressed growing fear about the safety of devotees, especially in light of these threats.
In a particularly disturbing incident, a local ironing board table used by a poor family to make a living was destroyed during an alleged attack by Pedda. The broken table, which had been part of the family’s livelihood, was found damaged, further escalating the tensions in the area. Despite a formal complaint to the police, there are claims that local authorities may be attempting to downplay the seriousness of the situation, with allegations of corruption and influence from powerful individuals attempting to ” down” the case due to monetary reasons.
The situation took a new turn this morning when several media persons, who visited the temple to cover the ongoing story, were reportedly threatened . Eyewitnesses claim that Pedda threatened the journalists, with some of the individuals allegedly invoking curses that left the reporters frightened. Following the incident, the affected media personnel filed a formal complaint at the Jubilee Hills police station.
It is worth noting that previous complaints have been registered at both the Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills police stations regarding Pedda’s alleged harassment of devotees and his violent behavior. Despite these complaints, it remains to be seen how the authorities will handle the situation.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Reporter TV has pledged to fight a legal battle against any attempts to encroach upon the temple’s land or hurt the sentiments of Hindus. The media outlet has vowed to stand by the temple and its devotees, ensuring that the situation is brought to justice.
As tensions continue to rise in the area, locals and devotees alike are calling for immediate intervention to protect the temple and ensure that such incidents do not recur. Further developments are awaited, and Reporter TV will continue to bring updates on this story as new details emerge.