A self-styled godman Venugopal Krishna, in charge of the Siva Sakthi peetham at Tallayapalem, is now under scanner for his alleged role in inciting communal tensions in the State.
Mr. Krishna, 60, called by his followers Siva Swamy, has allegedly made remarks against chairman of TTD Putta Sudhakara Yadav questioning his faith. His remarks sparked tensions between two communities and even led to clashes on Sunday.
The Guntur Urban Police have turned the heat on Shiva Swamy and charged him in two different cases reported at Nagarampalem and Kothapet. A case under the Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Castes and Tribes) Act, 1998, Section 323 and Section 427 read with 34 IPC was registered at Kothapet on April 1, on a complaint by Vasa Mahesh Babu. Mr. Babu complained that he was abused by his caste by the Swamy who along with his followers was carrying a protest march at the Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Babu, a technician at a local lab in R. Agraharam, said he was going to Kothapet when he came across a large number of men clad in saffron shirts staging a protest on April 1 against the nomination of Mr. Yadav as TTD chairperson. Mr. Babu, who stopped his motor cycle, was confronted by the mob, and the main accused, Venugopal Krishna, had allegedly asked him to reveal his identity and later was abused by his caste.
A second case was registered at Nagarampalem police station under Section 153 (A), Section 18 for fomenting tensions after allegedly making remarks against Mr. Yadav. The case was booked on a complaint by Upputuri Peraiah.
“The police have launched investigation into these two cases. We will not spare any one trying to whip up communal tensions,’’ said Vijaya Rao, SP.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shiva Swamy began as a small time jeweller in Vijayawada. He later built the Saivaksethram on the banks of the Krishna, attracting scores of devotees. He was however in news during the Krishna Pushkarams, after he refused to give way to a ghat as the entrance road passed through his land. There were also allegations against him relating to land grabbing in the district.