Nine Arrested for Vandalizing Church in Vikarabad, Telangana Amid Rising Religious Tensions
December 25, 2025
Nine people aged 20 to 25 were arrested by Kodangal police for vandalizing a church at Eerlapalli village in Vikarabad district on December 15, 2025. The group broke the church door around 9:30 am, set some items on fire, and fled. No one was inside the church then. Police said the accused had earlier objected to the church’s construction, leading to land disputes. They were charged under Sections 326 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sent to judicial custody.
Security near churches in the area has been tightened for Christmas. The Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII) condemned the attack and similar incidents at Jinnaram and Mallapuram. CRII’s national president, K Babu Rao, IPS (Retd.), said these acts show a growing pattern of intolerance in Telangana. CRII's delegation recently visited Jinnaram after an attack on Christian devotees during a prayer meeting. Another attack on Christmas carol singers was reported in Mallapuram.
Despite government assurances against religious hatred, these violent incidents continue to disturb the peace in the region.
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Tags:
Church Vandalism
Vikarabad
Religious Violence
Civil rights
Crii
Bharatiya nyaya sanhita
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