In the communally sensitive coastal district of Uttara Kannada in Karnataka, a recent post by terrorist organization ISIS’ India-centric online propaganda magazine has gone viral, causing a serious situation.
Anshul Saxena, a self-described analyst, and observer has posted an image to Twitter. A picture of a beheaded Shiva statue appears on the magazine poster. The head is also replaced by an ISIS flag on the poster.
The idol is based on the 123-foot-tall Murudeshwara town beach Shiva statue in Uttara Kannada district. It is a prominent tourist site as well as a pilgrimage center. “It’s time to come to break false gods,” the ad says beneath the image. Anshul Saxena’s article has gone viral, and Hindu organizations are outraged.
Murudeshwara is a coastal town near Bhatkal, which is constantly monitored by Indian intelligence agencies for anti-national activity. This city is home to terrorists like Yasin Bhatkal.
In the wake of ISIS magazine publishing the decapitated photos, Anshul Saxena has asked the state and federal governments to beef up security in Murudeshwara. The state government has increased security at Murudeshwara temple in response to his petition.
