Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma was addressing the media at Akiveedu in West Godavari district on Saturday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries and MP for Narsapuram Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma on Saturday announced that the Ram Mandir will be renovated under the auspices of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) at the existing Ram Mandir site at Pedda Peta of Akiveedu village in West Godavari district.
Mr. Srinivasa Varma on Saturday called off his planned visit to the Ram Mandir where locals had met and clashed over the proposed renovation of the mandir during the Sri Ram Navami celebrations on Friday. Three people were injured in the clash in which Vice President R. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju reportedly escaped an attack by protesters.
“It is a fact that the Ram Mandir and the idols existed at Pedda Peta Ram Mandir for many years. Some locals who have embraced other faiths in recent years have started protesting against the proposed renovation. However, the Ram Mandir will be renovated at the same place under the auspices of the VHP,” Mr. Srinivasa Varma said at a press conference.
He directed the West Godavari police to file a report on Friday’s encounter. He appealed to the locals to support the renovation of the Ram Mandir.
Recently, Mr. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju announced the renovation of Ram Mandir at Pedda Peta and said that the century old temple needs renovation due to its dilapidated condition.
West Godavari Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha president J. Nagaraju and BJP district president A. Sridevi were also present at the joint press conference held at Akiveedu.
Published – 28 March 2026 20:05 IST
