A communal fight has erupted on Twitter over an incident of vandalism at a small temple in Devipattinam in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu. Police sources suggest that a few anti-social elements broke down the Muneeswaran temple and threw the tirusulam in the jungle, in the wee hours of Thursday night.
The temple is over 30 years old and a popular shrine for nearby villagers.
Only a week before the vandalism, locals performed elaborate prayers and sacrificed goats at the temple.
An official at the Devipatnam Police Station said a complaint has been filed and they are looking into the matter.
An FIR has been filed under IPC Section 295 (Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) and IPC Section 427 (Mischief and thereby causes loss or damage).
A few locals and people on Twitter believe that this is the work of Muslims, who wanted to create trouble for Hindus who were performing poojas during their time of Ramadan.
Police said they are also considering this angle, but are quite surprised, as Hindus and Muslims have been peacefully co-existing in the area for generations.
These are some of the angry reactions to the incident:
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