Fact Check: Did Muslims Really Vandalize Durga Devi's Idol in Hyderabad? Here's the Quirky Truth Behind the Viral Video!
A viral video claiming that a Muslim individual vandalized an idol of Durga Devi in Hyderabad has sparked outrage on social media, but is it really true? Let’s dive into the facts and uncover what actually happened.
The Viral Sensation: A Misleading Narrative
On platforms like Facebook and X, a video has been making the rounds, showing the damaged idol of Durga Devi with items strewn about. Some users are spreading the narrative that this incident occurred in Hyderabad and was carried out by Muslims. One user dramatically posted, “This isn’t Pakistan or Bangladesh; this is Hyderabad. Jihadi Muslims have destroyed the Durga idol. First, it was the Ganesh idol; now it’s Durga. Hindus, wake up or face the annihilation of Sanatan Dharma!”
ಇದು ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ, ಬಾಂಗ್ಲಾದೇಶ ಅಲ್ಲ.. ಇದು ಹೈದರಾಬಾದ್. ಹೈದರಾಬಾದ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತೆ ದುರ್ಗಾ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಧ್ವಂಸ ಮಾಡಿದ ಜಿಹಾದಿ ಮುಸ್ಲಿಮರು. ಗಣೇಶನ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಆಯಿತು ಈಗ ದುರ್ಗಾ ಮೂರ್ತಿ.. ಹಿಂದೂಗಳೆ ಇನ್ನಾದರು ಎಚ್ಚೆತ್ತುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಸನಾತನ ಧರ್ಮ ನಾಶ ನಿಶ್ಚಿತ pic.twitter.com/hMzeGvcpbh
— ಅರುಣ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಹಿಂದೂ 🚩 (@arukumrhin11669) October 12, 2024
Fact-Checking the Claims
Upon investigation by TV9 Kannada, the truth of this viral video has come to light. Yes, the video is indeed from Hyderabad, but the claims of communal riots are completely false. The police have apprehended the alleged vandal, identified as Krishnaiah Gour, who is reportedly mentally unstable. Authorities have arrested him and sent him for a psychological evaluation.
To verify the facts, we performed a reverse image search on the viral video, uncovering multiple news reports about the incident. According to ANI, “A man has been arrested on charges of vandalizing the Durga idol, and a case has also been registered against the event organizers.” Krishnaiah is from Nagarkurnool district in Telangana.
Official Statements
DCP Akshansh Yadav from Hyderabad's central zone provided more clarity on the situation, stating, “We received a call around 6:00 AM regarding damage to the right hand of the Durga idol displayed at the exhibition grounds. Our team arrived promptly and, after reviewing CCTV footage, arrested the suspect around 8:15 AM. Krishnaiah was looking for food due to hunger and is mentally unstable.”
Dispelling the Myths
In light of the evidence and the police’s findings, we can conclusively say that there are no communal elements involved in this incident. The act of vandalism was committed by a mentally ill individual and should not be misrepresented in the context of communal strife.
