Tensions flare in Telangana after Hindu group attacks BRS rally and Muslims
Hyderabad: Tensions erupted in Telangana, India, after a Hindu group clashed with an election rally organized by Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao (KTR), a prominent leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and attacks on Muslims across the state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the situation escalated when members of the Hindu group, identifying themselves as devotees of the Hindu deity Hanuman, attacked a Muslim reporter in Bhainsa, Nirmal District, covering the BRS rally. This led to violent clashes marked by stone-pelting and communal slogans, highlighting the delicate communal harmony in the region.
The conflict stemmed from objections raised by the Hindu group against the BRS corner meeting at Maulana Azad Chowk. The protest escalated into violence.
During the turmoil, KTR’s convoy came under attack with stones and tomatoes, accompanied by chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. The presence of a Muslim reporter further fueled tensions, leading to aggression towards him by Hanuman devotees.
In a separate incident, Sheikh Wajid Qureshi, a member of the Qureshi community, was brutally assaulted by Hanuman devotees while moving between the meeting venue and Gandhiganj. Authorities swiftly responded, deploying heavy police presence and closing businesses to prevent further violence.
Despite the sectarianism displayed by Hanuman devotees, the local Muslim community cooperated with authorities to restore calm and communal harmony.
