An Indian-American man has sued a Hindu temple in the US, alleging the exploitation of his 11-year-old son for branding purposes.
The father claims that the temple not only presented his son as an avatar of Lord Vishnu but also inflicted burns on his shoulder with a hot iron rod, seeking $1 million (approximately ₹8.3 crores) in damages.
This alarming incident took place at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas. Vijay Cheruvu, in a press conference, stated that the event in August not only caused his son extreme pain but left permanent scars.
According to the news agency PTI, Cheruvu exclaimed, 'I was shocked upon seeing him. I was at a loss how to handle the situation. My foremost concern is for my son's wellbeing.'
Cheruvu has filed the lawsuit in Fort Bend County. The legal documents demand $1 million in compensation from Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple and its organization, the Jeeyar Educational Trust.
Over 100 individuals attended a ceremony at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple last August, including three children, one of whom was Cheruvu's son. The child was taken to the temple by his mother, Cheruvu's former wife. It's alleged that the child was branded without his desire, father's knowledge, or consent.
Cheruvu's attorney, Brant Stogner, pointed out that in Texas, branding or burning children, even with parental consent, is against the law.
The victim spoke to a news agency saying, 'I was very surprised. I wasn't aware something like this would happen. The pain from the branding on my shoulder was so intense I almost cried. They knew what they did was very wrong because they told me not to tell anyone about it. However, when the pain became unbearable and infection set in, I had to tell my father everything.'
Cheruvu added that his former wife had taken their son to the temple. He shared that his son is now undergoing therapy, is terrified, mentally disturbed, and constantly in pain.
