BJP leader Sunil Deodhar’s tweet claiming Christian prayer meet in Ram Mandir is false, says East Godavari SP

‘A woman who embraced Christianity lives next to the Ram Mandir and has been conducting the prayer in front of her house. It is a regular affair for the past four years in the village.’

An online campaign claiming Christian prayer meets are being conducted in a Ram temple in Gangavaram village under Pamarru police limits is misleading and false, said East Godavari SP M. Raveendranath Babu on Friday.

On Friday morning, BJP National Secretary and Andhra Pradesh Co-In Charge Sunil Deodhar has tweeted; “..Limit is crossed by Church with illegally occupying Ram Mandir in Gangavaram..and conducting Christian prayer in it”. Mr. Deodhar has also tagged a video, in which locals are seen conducting a prayer on the road opposite the temple.

Mr. Raveendranath Babu stated that such a baseless campaign would disturb religious harmony.

“We have investigated the facts. The prayer was not conducted inside the Ram Mandir. It was conducted in front of it and it has been the practice for over four years in the village. The woman, Kada Mangayamma, lives next to the Ram Mandir and she conducts the prayer in front of her house, which is adjacent to the Ram Mandir”, said Mr. Raveendranath Babu. On the night of March 30, Ms. Mangayamma and others gathered for prayer in front of her house. 

The fake campaign was kickstarted by Ms. Mangayamma’s family member following an argument with her on the expenditures being borne by her for the prayers. “We appeal to the public to stop the fake campaign and help maintain the religious harmony in the village”, said Mr. Raveendranath Babu.

In an official release, the villagers have admitted that conducting the prayer near the temple was a regular affair in the village and that was nothing to do with the Ram Mandir.

Fact check: Misleading