Uproar in Lucknow After Shiva Lingam Damaged in Temple; Youth Taken into Custody

Lucknow: A wave of outrage has erupted in Lucknow’s Thakurganj area after a Shiva Lingam was reportedly damaged inside a temple, allegedly by a local youth. The accused, identified as Abhishek Gautam, has been taken into police custody.

According to local reports, the incident occurred at the Khudaganj Nagariya temple in Thakurganj police station limits. Members of the Hindu Samaj Party promptly arrived at the scene to protest the act, claiming it hurt religious sentiments.

Gaurav Goswami, Uttar Pradesh State Executive President of the Hindu Samaj Party, described the matter as serious and submitted a written complaint to the police. “Damaging a Shiva Lingam inside a temple is not just a question of law and order, but a direct attack on the religious faith of society,” he stated.

Eyewitnesses say Abhishek Gautam entered the temple premises and caused damage to the Lingam, which sparked anger among devotees. Police responded swiftly to the scene, bringing the situation under control and deploying additional forces to prevent any escalation.

Initial investigations indicate that the accused may be mentally unwell, although police are awaiting medical confirmation. Thakurganj Station Officer Omveer Singh mentioned that the incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute between the accused and the temple priest, and that Gautam allegedly acted under the influence of alcohol. He is currently in custody, and formal legal proceedings are underway.

Gaurav Goswami emphasized that if the accused is indeed mentally unstable, he should receive proper treatment, but law and order must not be compromised. He further urged authorities to enhance security at religious sites to prevent such incidents in the future.