Thousands of devotees of Hindu god Ayyappa have come on roads and held protests across Telangana on Friday (30 December).

The reason for this massive reaction is highly derogatory comments against Hindu Gods Shiva, Vishnu and Ayyappa made by Bairi Naresh at an Ambedkarite meeting held on Thursday (29 December).

Bairi Naresh, reportedly the president of an atheistic organisation, narrated the Hindu puranic episode of demon Bhasmasura who was killed by God Vishnu in Mohini avatara and abused highly revered Hindu god Ayyappa as the one born for two males.

The video of hate speech made by Naresh went viral on social media and devotees of Ayyappa registered cases against Naresh at police stations across the state.

BJP MLA Raja Singh too has released a video message demanding strict action against Bairi Naresh. Hindu organisations like VHP and Bajrang Dal have given call for protests across Telangana and demanded strict action against the culprit.

Hindus believe that God Ayyappa was born to Mohini, an incarnation of Vishnu, and Shiva. He is hence called ‘hari hara sutha’.

Each year, millions of Hindus across the five southern states of India take Ayyappa diksha and follow austere practices, particularly in the months of December and January.

Ayyappa diksha is highly popular in Telugu states with lakhs of young Hindu men wearing black robes and leading a disciplined life with devotion for weeks, every year.

The hatred spewn by so-called atheist leader Bairi Naresh on their beloved God Ayyappa amid the season of Ayyappa diksha has thus led to severe pushback from Hindus.

Amid this controversy, videos of hate speeches against Brahmins and Hindu customs previously made by Bairi Naresh have surfaced on social media.