Video of Christian prayers inside Andhra temple sparks controversy, cops clarify

Andhra Pradesh police denied reports of Christian prayers inside a temple after a video went viral. The cops said the prayers were held outside the temple premises.

Andhra Pradesh police issued a clarification after a video of Christian missionary groups holding prayers inside a temple in Gangavaram village went viral on Friday. The police said a resident had been conducting Christian prayers on the road beside a temple and the prayers were not held inside the temple premises.

East Godavari SP M Ravindranath IPS said, "Mangayamma [the resident] has been conducting Christian prayers on the road situated in front of her house, which is located beside the temple. Poojas are happening in the Ram temple daily and there are no disputes between both communities. Both communities have cordial relations with each other."

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According to police, when the prayers were being held on March 30, Mangayamma's elder son Srinivas argued with her about spending huge amounts of money on holding prayers. When Srinivas began to quarrel with his mother, Mangayamma and others informed the Pamarru police, who resolved the dispute.

There's no place for Hindus in Andhra Pradesh.A pastor illegally occupied a Ram temple in Gangavaram & conducting Christian Prayer in it. This is happening due to the appeasement politics of @YSRCParty govt.We demand strict action against the culprits. pic.twitter.com/Ji52uNxYvm