Man who destroyed an idol in Hyderabad watched hate preacher Zakir Naik’s videos: Police officers

Hyderabad:

A 30-year-old engineering graduate who allegedly desecrated an idol at a temple here on October 14 radicalized himself by watching videos of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and others on social media and had previously been involved in similar incidents in Mumbai The Hyderabad police announced this on Wednesday.

Salman Salim Thakur alias Salman entered the sanctum sanctorum of Muthyalamma Temple in Secunderabad early Monday and desecrated the main idol of the temple, triggering protests from locals, Hindu groups and the BJP.

Some residents were angered by the “provocative and malicious” act and beat up the defendant.

The police took the defendant into custody and took him to a hospital.

The accused is undergoing treatment for internal injuries and his condition remains serious, police said, adding that an FIR has been registered against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Investigations revealed that Salman, a native of Mumbai, started watching videos of Islamic preachers like Zakir Naik on social media, a press release from Hyderabad Police said.

“He is active on social media. We received information (about him watching videos of Naik and other Islamic preachers) after analyzing his mobile phone and social media (activity),” a police official said.

He had “self-radicalized and developed a radical mindset and hatred” towards the practices of other religions such as idolatry, it said.

The Maharashtra Police has already booked him for his alleged involvement in damaging idols in Mumbai.

Earlier this month, Salman came to Hyderabad to attend a month-long personality development workshop, police said.

It has been found that the premises of a hotel were illegally rented for conducting the academic course for which there was no formal permission and necessary legal action would be taken against the management in this regard, they added.

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