New Delhi (Agency): Police in Gujarat’s Botad district have taken three individuals into custody for their alleged involvement in vandalizing and defacing murals portraying Lord Hanuman kneeling before Sahajanand Swami, a revered saint associated with the Swaminarayan sect. Harshad Gadhvi, who was seen in a viral video vandalizing the murals, has been apprehended, along with his associates Jaisinh Bharwad and Baldev Bharwad, according to Superintendent of Police Kishor Baloliya.
A few months prior to this incident, the temple management installed a towering 54-foot statue of Lord Hanuman within the religious premises. The pedestal’s wall features murals that have sparked controversy due to their portrayal of Lord Hanuman paying respects to Sahajanand Swami.
The Swaminarayan sect, which is divided into various factions, venerates Sahajanand Swami (1781-1830) as Lord Swaminarayan.
Preliminary investigation suggests that Harshad Gadhvi managed to breach the barricades and reached the statue, where he allegedly used a heavy rod to deface and blacken the murals. His actions were recorded in a viral video, leading to his subsequent detention by the police.
The three individuals were arrested under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 295 (A) (outraging religious feelings), 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different religious groups), 506 (2) (criminal intimidation), and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), as confirmed by an official from Barwala police station.
This incident follows recent demands from Hindu religious leaders for the removal of the controversial murals. In response to the incident, security has been heightened around the temple. Devotees were prevented from entering the premises to offer prayers, resulting in protests and banners being displayed outside the religious establishment.
One of the contentious murals depicted Lord Hanuman kneeling before Lord Swaminarayan with folded hands, resembling a disciple. Prominent preacher Morari Bapu voiced his objection to the mural’s depiction, without specifically naming anyone, and urged people to voice their concerns. Dilipdasji Maharaj of Ahmedabad’s Lord Jagannath temple also emphasized the importance of refraining from actions that belittle any religion. A delegation of religious leaders handed over a memorandum to the Botad collector, urging the removal of the controversial mural.