Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Tension over TV news report on godman

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD NOV. 27. Tension gripped the mandal headquarters town of Nandipet, 40 km from here on Wednesday, after hundreds of followers of a godman took to the streets protesting against a news story telecast by a leading satellite Telugu channel yesterday night.

A news story telecast on the satellite channel, accusing the godman of amassing wealth, grabbing land and taking people for a ride incensed his followers leading to a tense situation in the mandal headquarters since this morning. The devotees of the Swamy, who has a wide following not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka, were particularly angry at the derogatory remarks made against him in the news story.

Accusing the television channel of hurting religious sentiments, the Swamy's followers observed complete bandh in the mandal headquarters. What aggravated the situation was the repeat telecast of the news in the morning news bulletin on Wednesday. Hundreds of devotees who saw the news rushed to the godman's ashram and within no time the area was flooded with his followers. The devotees, who obstructed traffic and tried to damage RTC buses, were prevented by the local leaders from taking the law into their hands.

Tempers ran high as some of devotees staged `rasta roko'. Journalists based at Nandipet spent tense moments after they saw the mood of the agitated public. Several devotees including a large number of women abused the journalists for trying to tarnish the image of the godman. The Penpahad MPTC member, Ramulu, went a step ahead and wanted the particular television channel reporter and other correspondents to be summoned before the gathering so that they could give a clarification. Some leaders pacified the MPTC member and tried to convince the devotees to observe restraint.

The Nandipet SI, Waheeduddin, alerted the Armoor DSP, Viswanath about the situation. The DSP along with additional forces rushed to the mandal headquarters town and reviewed the situation. He held discussions with the close followers of the Swamy and advised them not to resort to violent methods. Police forces were deployed near the ashram to prevent any trouble. The visibly upset Swamy met his followers at the ashram and told them that had he had never cheated anybody nor amassed wealth. He asked his followers whether he was leading a luxurious life as mentioned in the news.

Interestingly, political leaders cutting across party lines and other influential businessmen rallied behind the Swamy. The ashram was flooded with phone calls from his followers. Rumours also flew thick and fast that the Swamy had been arrested. Tension continued till this evening with the devotees still camping at the ashram. They have decided to take out a protest rally tomorrow in the mandal headquarters and submitted a memorandum to the Mandal Revenue officer.

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