Political temperatures hit boiling point in Hyderabad Sunday as Telangana Police detained BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao. En route to strife-torn Banswada in Kamareddy district—scene of Friday’s ugly clashes—the leader’s plans were halted abruptly.
Under house arrest overnight Saturday, Rao ventured out Sunday, only to be intercepted. His Taranaka residence saw a supporter showdown, with police detaining vocal protesters before relocating Rao to Bollaram outpost.
Rao had announced his solidarity with BJP MLA K. Venkata Ramana Reddy, who suffered an attack. He alleged mass arrests of 100 BJP members amid a Hindu-called bandh in Banswada. Detained, he fired off online: Telangana mirrors Emergency era, where Hindu advocacy invites shackles under Congress watch.
Roots of the discord: Friday evening, supermarket bhajans irked a youth, sparking staff violence claims. Communities collided in rock-throwing mayhem, wounding two officers. Police bolstered ranks, lodging riot cases against 12.
The standoff spotlights brewing Hindu discontent and governance critiques in Telangana. BJP mobilizes against perceived bias, as authorities prioritize stability. Whether this quells or kindles fires remains the pivotal question in this unfolding saga.