Hyderabad: In a significant ruling, the Telangana High Court has ordered the removal of all videos depicting the vandalism of the Goddess Mutyalamma idol at a temple in Secunderabad. The directive was issued to the Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre in New Delhi in response to a writ petition filed by advocate Rama Rao Immaneni. Immaneni, a resident of West Maredpally, raised alarms regarding the circulation of these videos, claiming they incited communal disharmony and exacerbated tensions in an already volatile situation.
The petitioner emphasized that the lack of action from the cybercrime department was contributing to law and order issues in the community. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy, presiding over the case, shared Immaneni's concerns and instructed both the Centre and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Maredpally to take immediate and decisive action against those responsible for the vandalism. Despite previous complaints, no measures had been taken to address the violence or the dissemination of the videos, the court noted. The case has been adjourned to November 5, as the court awaits updates on the situation.
The petitioner also raised concerns about the broader implications of cyber terrorism, particularly citing extremist groups like the Islamic State of Khorasan Province that exploit online platforms to propagate harmful ideologies. The incident in question occurred on October 14 when a man forcibly entered the Muthyalamma temple in the early hours and damaged the idol. Local residents apprehended the individual during the chaos and reportedly assaulted him. In the wake of the vandalism, right-wing groups organized protests and bandhs in the area, demanding justice for the desecration.
Notably, a bandh took place on October 19 in Secunderabad, drawing significant attention to the issue. Tensions escalated further during protests at the Muthyalamma temple in Kummarwadi, where members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) confronted police officials aggressively. In response to the rising violence, police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and maintain order. Authorities have since registered five cases against individuals involved in the violent protests, highlighting the serious implications of communal tensions in the region. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community watches closely, hoping for resolution and restoration of peace in Secunderabad.