T'gana BJP chief detained while heading to visit communal clash site
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Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao was taken into custody by police in Hyderabad on Sunday when he attempted to leave for Banswada town in Kamareddy district, which witnessed a communal clash on Friday.
Rao, who had been placed under house arrest since Saturday night, tried to proceed to Banswada but was stopped and detained by the police. Tension prevailed at his residence in the Tarnaka area as supporters attempted to resist the police action, leading to the detention of some protesters. He was later shifted to Bollarum Police Station.
Earlier, Rao told the media that he planned to visit Kamareddy to express solidarity with BJP MLA K. Venkata Ramana Reddy, who was allegedly attacked. He also claimed that around 100 BJP workers were arrested in Banswada during a bandh called by Hindu organisations.
Following his detention, Rao alleged that an “emergency” prevails in Telangana. In a post on X, he accused the Congress government of targeting him for “standing up for the Hindus of Banswada and for our karyakartas in Kamareddy”. He further alleged that in Congress-ruled Telangana, raising a voice for Hindu victims and party workers had become a “crime”.
Rao criticised the Congress, calling it the “New Muslim League” and accusing it of appeasement politics. He asserted that confining him to his home would not silence him and that he would continue to support his party workers and the people of Banswada despite pressure.
Banswada witnessed a clash on Friday evening after a youth objected to the playing of a devotional song in a supermarket. The supermarket employees allegedly assaulted the youth, following which members of two communities engaged in stone pelting near the premises, injuring two police personnel.
Police subsequently deployed additional forces in the town to prevent further violence. Two cases were registered, and 12 individuals were arrested in connection with rioting.
With IANS inputs
