Bhimavaram: On a scorching Friday afternoon, near the Rayalam area in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, a disturbing incident unfolded outside the Kodanda Rama Temple. A man, unfamiliar to the locals, was noticed wandering near the temple, and his strange behaviour raised suspicion among those passing by, reports the Daily Hunt.
Two locals approached the man and inquired about his identity and purpose. However, he was unable to respond clearly, speaking in a language they couldn’t understand. Alarmed by his inability to communicate, they began questioning his presence. Their concern quickly spread, and within moments, a crowd gathered.
In the charged atmosphere, some in the crowd assumed the worst: they speculated that the man might be planning to damage the temple idols. A few even pointed to his beard, claiming he looked like a “terrorist,” while others linked him to recent incidents of idol vandalism in Hyderabad. Rumours intensified, and the crowd’s anger turned into mob fury. Many began shouting that an “outsider” had come to harm their place of worship, calling for harsh action to “protect” their temples.
The crowd soon turned violent, grabbing rods and sticks to beat the man brutally. The attack was recorded by bystanders and quickly went viral on social media, drawing immediate attention.
Police personnel from Bhimavaram Two Town Police Station were alerted and rushed to the scene. They brought the man into custody and conducted an investigation. To their shock, they discovered that the man’s name was Dilip, a resident of Ravulapalem in East Godavari district. Dilip had been struggling with mental health issues and had been wandering around Bhimavaram for nearly three years, collecting scraps like paper and empty bottles to survive.
After learning about his background, the police provided him with food and gently advised him to stay away from areas where he might face misunderstandings. Meanwhile, the people who had assumed he was a “threat” left without knowing the truth – that he was simply a man with mental health issues, vulnerable and lost, with no ill intentions.
Reflecting on the incident, local authorities questioned the mob’s hasty and aggressive judgment, which was fuelled more by fear and rumour than fact. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of mob mentality and the importance of verifying facts before taking extreme actions.
