A group of youngsters vandalised the Kanchipuram Railway station on Friday night leading to tense moments in and around the temple town. Activists reportedly belonging to Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) and a faction of the Maoists vandalised the railway station and defaced the paintings of Adi Sankaracharya, Ramanujar and Kanchi Kamatchi Temple displayed in the railway station.

Since there were no policemen around, the activists had a free run. One of the VCK leaders in his social media posting claimed responsibility for defacing the paintings. “We will get the symbols of Hinduism removed from all public faces. Gradually we will remove the religion itself from the country,” said the posting in Tamil.

The railway station was being renovated and re-painted as part of the Pilgrimage Tourism announced by the Government of India, according to sources in Southern Railway. “Kanchipuram and Velankanni railway stations were being renovated as part of this programme. While Velankanni station would feature the paintings of the famous church, Kanchipuram station was expected to have the paintings of Sri Sankara, Ramajunar and the temple,” said  KT Raghavan, BJP spokesman.

Arjun Sampath, leader of Hindu Makkal Katchi, condemned the act and alleged that it was the continuation of the    exhortation made by VCK leader Thirumavalavan to his aides to demolish all temples in the country. “There has been an increase in the attacks on Hindu places of worship after his call to his followers,” said Sampath.

He said the paintings of Adi Sankaracharya, Ramanujar and Kamachi Temple were displayed in the station taking into account the cultural and historical importance of Kanchipuram. “We also have a painting of a dargah in nearby Nagur railway station,” he said.

Police have registered a case and efforts are on to restore the paintings.