'ISIS' inscribed on Brahmarakshas Murti in Kerala; Police inaction sparks devotee outrage

In yet another shocking instance highlighting the growing vulnerability of Hindu places of worship under the watch of the secular establishment, the ancient Mohanapuram Mahadeva Venugopala Swami Temple in Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram district, was brazenly desecrated.

 

The name of the dreaded Islamic terrorist organization, “ISIS,” was found inscribed on the pedestal of the sacred Brahmarakshas murti not just once, but on two consecutive nights.

 

 

The brazen act has sent shockwaves through the Hindu community, exposing both the audacity of anti-social elements and the criminal laxity of the local law enforcement machinery.

 

The incident occurred on two consecutive occasions, on 23 and 24 October 2026, at the Mohanapuram Mahadeva Venugopala Swami Temple in Pothencode. It was found that the word “ISIS” was found written on the pedestal of a Brahmarakshas murti.

 

 

The temple archaka discovered the writing on the morning of 23 October while arriving to perform the daily pooja and informed the temple committee. Subsequently, the temple lodged a complaint with the Pothencode police.

 

 

Despite police visiting the site and conducting a preliminary examination, reports indicate that no formal case was registered following the initial complaint. This decision has since become a point of criticism among devotees and community members who argue that stronger action should have been taken at the outset.

 

 

The same act was repeated during the night of 24 October and discovered on the morning of 25 October, prompting the temple committee and devotees to approach the police again. Police personnel subsequently returned to the site with forensic experts to collect evidence, but heavy rainfall reportedly hampered the investigation.

 

 

The temple, managed by the Tiruvitamcoor Devaswom Board, had also experienced a theft of jewellery and other items about two years earlier, and the perpetrators were not identified. The repeated writing of “ISIS” on a sacred Hindu murti prompted devotees to demand a thorough investigation into the incident and the identification and arrest of those responsible.

 

 

Hindu Aikyavedi chief patron K.P. Sasikala Teacher and Vishwa Hindu Parishad state general secretary Adv. Anil Vilayil condemned the incident, describing it as an attempt to hurt Hindu religious sentiments and create communal tensions. Local residents and devotees also planned protests, including Japa Yathras, to demand action from the authorities. As of 26 October 2026, no arrests had been reported.

 

 

 

Following the second complaint, police personnel returned to the temple along with forensic experts to gather evidence from the scene. Investigators reportedly attempted scientific examination of the vandalized area in hopes of identifying potential suspects and establishing the sequence of events.

 

However, efforts to collect forensic evidence were reportedly hampered by adverse weather conditions. Continuous rainfall in the area allegedly affected the preservation of physical traces that could have assisted investigators, creating additional challenges for the inquiry.

 

The weather-related difficulties have heightened concerns among devotees, many of whom fear that crucial evidence may have been compromised before it could be properly documented and analyzed.

 

As of October 26, 2026, investigators were continuing efforts to identify those responsible for the alleged desecration. No arrests were reported in the source article, and authorities were still examining available evidence despite the challenges posed by weather conditions.

 

The repetition of the act strengthened the concern that the incident was not simply an impulsive act of vandalism. The writing appeared on two consecutive occasions, demonstrating that the temple's sacred space was subjected to repeated interference. Such repetition proved that the perpetrator deliberately targeted the sacred space for desecration. Such actions are rooted in religious hatred towards Hindus and their places of worship.