In a shocking incident, a statue of Shani Dev installed in an ancient Shiva temple in the Vaira Firozpur village of Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh was desecrated by unknown attackers on Saturday leading to a tense situation in the village.
According to the reports, an idol of Shani Dev was being worshipped in the old temple near the primary school in Vaira Firozpur village of Bulandshahr district. On Sunday morning, one Ramesh, who carries out cleaning activities at the temple, found out that the statue of Shani Dev placed under a Peepal tree has been vandalised.
As the news of idol desecration and vandalism spread across the village, the villagers assembled near the temple premises and started a commotion. Soon, SDM Subhash Singh, CO Manish Yadav and SHO Narendra Kumar Sharma reached the village to take the stock of the situation.
SDM Singh tried to pacify the villagers by promising to install a new statue and take strict action against the accused. According to SDM Singh, the temple premises has become a regular place for some anti-social elements who gather there to drink alcohol. The DM stated that it is being suspected these intoxicated men may have desecrated and damaged the Shani Dev idol.
The angry villagers demanded strict action against the culprits. Later, in the presence of SDM and SHO, the fragmented idol was immersed into the Ganges at Brajghat.
Speaking to the media, SDM Subash Singh said, “At night, antisocial elements vandalised the temple and broked down the Shani idol. A police team has been formed to search for the accused”.