A day after tensions erupted in Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district after an Ayyappa devotee was attacked by a Muslim youth, police have issued a stern warning against creating any communal tension over the incident. Notably, the accused identified as Ziaul Huq was detained by the police on the same day and was forced to apologize to the victim. Videos appeared on social media in which the police could be seen dragging the accused to the victim and asking him to touch his feet while apologizing for the act he did.
BREAKING: Islamist Jiyavul Huq, who attacked the Hindu youth for wearing an Ayyappa Mala, apologized to the victim by touching his feet in the presence of police and Hindu Karyakartas.pic.twitter.com/oHBQWjByXL https://t.co/ncZWoLLjcJ
— Treeni (@TheTreeni) December 26, 2024
A case has been registered against Ziaul Haq under all applicable sections as he deliberately attacked the Hindu man and started a fight.
Madanapalle SP Vidyasagar Naidu said that the police department is not taking this case lightly and said, “If anyone takes the law into their own hands, strict action will be taken.” He said that some people tried to create a communal clash using the ‘minor dispute’, adding that the matter was resolved after Jiyavul Huq apologised to Venkatesh. “Strict action will be taken if religious hatred is created in Madanapalle.” he added.
Reportedly, even after the victim said that he had got justice in the case, some people later went to the police station to register a case. They also allegedly started a fight and vandalised a hotel. Police said that they have taken the matter seriously, and the vandals are being identified using CCTV footage.
The attack was executed by Ziaul who was later detained by the police. The incident took place near the RTC bus stand on 25th December evening, when Ayyappa devotee, victim Venkatesh asked Huq to move his two-wheeler as it was blocking the road. Angered by this, the Muslim youth attacked the Hindu youth. He tore the Ayyappa mala Venkatesh was wearing. As he continued the assault, locals assembled at the sport and intervened.
Soon the activists of Hindu groups gathered after receiving information about the incident. The people assembled at the place started chanting slogans condemning the attack on the symbol of Lord Venkatesh. The Hindu groups are demanding strict action against the Muslim youth from Bidar for disrespecting Lord Ayyappa.
Tension erupted in Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh's Annamayya district after an Ayyappa devotee was attacked by a Muslim youth. Locals allege that the Venkatesh was attacked by Ziaul Huq for wearing an Ayappa mala. pic.twitter.com/phTCQ0X2wJ
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) December 26, 2024
Later police reached the spot and tried to calm the situation. The police nabbed the accused and made him apologize by touching the feet of the Ayyappa devotee, helping to calm the anger among the Ayappa devotees. Several other Ayappa devotees were there with victim Venkatesh when the police brought Huq to apologize.
The incident comes weeks after a bus carrying Ayappa devotees was attacked in Rayachoti town in Andhra Pradesh on 7th December. The bus was attacked by a Muslim mob because of Hindu devotional songs played in the vehicle, alleging that the volume of the song was too high and it was audible from outside the bus.