Texas Temple: A Indian man has initiated legal action against a Hindu temple and its overseeing organization in the US, seeking damages exceeding $1M after his 11-year-old son underwent branding with a hot iron rod during a religious ceremony last year.
The incident, which transpired at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Hindu temple in Sugar Land, Texas, in August, resulted in severe pain and permanent disfigurement for the child.
Texas Temple…
Vijay Cheruvu, residing in Fort Bend County, Texas, expressed shock and concern for his son’s well-being during a press conference detailing the incident.
The lawsuit, filed in Fort Bend County, targets both the temple and its parent organization, Jeeyar Educational Trust (JET) USA Inc.
The ceremony at Sri Ashtalakshmi temple, involving over 100 participants, including three children, led to Cheruvu’s son being branded against his will and without parental consent.
Cheruvu’s attorney, Brant Stogner, emphasized that such actions, even with parental consent, are illegal in Texas, citing severe pain, permanent disfigurement, and subsequent infection suffered by the child.
While the child’s identity remains undisclosed, his statement recounted the shock and agony of the branding, prompting him to confide in his father as the pain intensified and infection ensued.
Cheruvu affirmed that his former wife took their son to the temple but was not subjected to branding.
The child continues to receive therapy for the mental and physical scars inflicted, with Cheruvu highlighting the profound impact on his son’s well-being.
Despite outreach attempts, the temple has remained unresponsive to inquiries for comments.
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