Schoolgirl accidentally breaks temple idol while cleaning, police confirm no vandalism

A damaged idol at a village temple in Aligarh district turned out to be an accidental mishap by a schoolgirl, police confirmed on Saturday after investigating the incident. The matter came to light when a local resident reported the damage to authorities, triggering immediate police response and an inquiry.

Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, a resident of Hayatpur Bajhera village in the Lodha area of Aligarh, dialed the emergency helpline 112 on Saturday to report that an idol of Lord Kartikeya had been damaged at a Shiv temple located within a school compound. The temple houses idols of the Shiv Parivar, and Sharma's complaint initially suggested that unidentified persons had broken the idol, raising concerns in the village.

Circle Officer Gabhana Mahesh Kumar and a police team rushed to the site to assess the situation and gather facts. After a thorough investigation and questioning of witnesses, the police established that no deliberate act of vandalism had taken place. According to the inquiry, a Class 5 girl student who attends the school had gone to the temple to clean and wash the area as part of routine maintenance. While she was performing the cleaning, the idol accidentally slipped from her hands and broke.

Circle Officer Mahesh Kumar clarified that the damage was purely accidental and not an act of intentional desecration. He emphasized that peace prevails in the village and there is no cause for alarm or communal tension. The incident has been resolved after the investigation established the facts, and no further action is being considered in the matter. The prompt police response and transparent inquiry helped dispel any misunderstandings and maintain calm in the area.