Mentally disturbed woman desecrates Ganesha idol at Belur Temple in Karnataka's Hassan, arrested

Tension in Belur after temple idol desecration. (Image credit: @karnatakaportf)

Tension gripped the town of Belur in Hassan district on Sunday after a Ganesha idol at a temple located on municipal office premises near the bus stand was desecrated. According to a report by The Times of India, a mentally disturbed woman is believed to have carried out the act and has been arrested.

The incident came to light when local devotees visited the temple to offer prayers. Many local vendors begin their business only after paying respects to the idol.

On Sunday morning, when the vendors arrived, they found the idol damaged and desecrated. The police were immediately informed, and an investigation was launched using CCTV footage from the temple premises. Preliminary findings indicate that a woman with possible mental health issues may have committed the act.

Eyewitnesses said that the woman entered the temple wearing slippers and had a cloth covering her face. When she left, her slippers were missing from her feet.

Authorities found a pair of slippers on the idol that matched the ones she had been wearing, leading police to suspect her involvement.

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sujeetha visited the site and reviewed the CCTV footage. He confirmed that eight teams were formed to locate and apprehend the suspect. The incident has created a tense atmosphere in Belur.

Locals staged protests on the municipal premises, demanding strict action against the culprits. Some threatened to call for a bandh, claiming that the act was intended to disturb communal harmony.

MLC C T Ravi alleged that the incident was designed to hurt Hindu sentiments and claimed it could be part of a larger attempt to incite communal unrest.

Belur MLA H K Suresh demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of the woman. He also suggested that authorities investigate if she was under any pressure.