Police in Telangana arrested two men on March 14 for allegedly vandalising a Marian statue in Secunderabad a day earlier, according to UCA News. The attack occurred around 3 a.m. at the gates of St. Mary’s Pharmacy College, and CCTV cameras recorded the incident. Police said the suspects were intoxicated during the incident and acted in the early hours to avoid detection.
The attackers shattered the glass casing, removed the statue, threw it to the ground, and smashed it with a stone. They also covered their vehicle’s number plate, suggesting possible premeditation and an attempt to conceal their identity.
Catholics held a candlelight vigil on March 13 to protest the desecration of the Marian statue. The Catholic Association of Hyderabad said the community was shocked, demanded strict action, and called for stronger protection of minority institutions and places of worship.
Church representatives expressed concern that such incidents, previously more common in northern regions, were now appearing in southern India. They added that this was the first such attack reported in Secunderabad. According to UCA News, authorities have launched an investigation and urged accountability to prevent similar acts in the future.