Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries and Narsapuram MP Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma on Saturday announced that the Ram Mandir would be renovated under the aegis of the Vishva Hindu Parishad(VHP) at the existing site of Ram Mandir at Pedda Peta of Akiveedu village in West Godavari district.

Mr. Srinivasa Varma on Saturday withdrew his scheduled visit to the Ram Mandir, where locals met and clashed over the proposed renovation of the mandir during Sri Ram Navami celebrations on Friday. Three persons were injured in the clash, in which Deputy Speaker R. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju had reportedly escaped the attack by protesters.

“It is a fact that Ram Mandir and idols existed for many years at the Pedda Peta Ram Mandir. Some locals who embraced other faiths in recent years began protesting the proposed renovation. However, the Ram Mandir will be renovated on the same site under the aegis of the VHP,” said Mr. Srinivasa Varma in a press conference.

He has directed the West Godavari police to submit a report on the Friday clash. He appealed to the locals to support the renovation of the Ram Mandir.

Recently, Mr. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju had announced renovation of the Ram Mandir in Pedda Peta, stating that the century-old temple needs restoration due to its dilapidated condition.

West Godavari Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha Chairman J. Nagaraju and BJP district president A. Sridevi were also present at the joint press conference held in Akiveedu.