Authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to maintain communal harmony and ensure that false information does not lead to unnecessary conflict
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD — The police here have successfully thwarted two attempts to disrupt peace and communal harmony in the city over the past three days. Tensions arose following the partial vandalisation of a Durga idol and the discovery of a piece of meat near a temple, prompting some groups to make provocative allegations before any investigation had been conducted.
The first incident occurred on October 11, when a Durga idol at the Exhibition Ground in Nampally was found partially vandalised. It ignited tension in the area, especially as it coincided with Dussehra festivities. Some Hindutva leaders, infamous for their inflammatory remarks, alleged the hand of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders in the vandalism.
Unverified claims quickly spread on social media, with some media outlets amplifying the narrative put forth by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Madhavi Latha, who had unsuccessfully contested against AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The official Twitter account of Telangana BJP referred to the incident as the work of “religious fanatics,” criticising the Congress government for allegedly failing to allow Hindus to celebrate their festivals freely.
However, the police swiftly took action and clarified the situation. They arrested a man named Krishnaiah Goud, a local from Nagarkurnool, who was found to be mentally disturbed and had entered the pandal in search of food. According to the police, Goud entered the pandal on the night of October 10 and, during the absence of a watchman, ransacked puja materials near the idol. Upon returning, the watchman alerted the organisers, who promptly contacted the police. A case was filed at Begumbazar police station, leading to a quick investigation that debunked the misinformation circulating on social media and in some media reports. Following Goud’s arrest, those who had made unfounded allegations fell silent.
The second incident occurred on the night of October 12 when a piece of meat was discovered in front of a temple in the Masab Tank area. This also led to heightened tensions, with some individuals attempting to frame the event in a communal context. The police acted promptly, scanning CCTV footage from the area.
The investigation revealed the truth behind the incident: the footage showed a stray dog inadvertently dropping the piece of meat in front of the temple. In light of this revelation, the police issued a statement urging the public not to propagate false narratives about the incident. They also warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found spreading misinformation.
The Hyderabad Police remain vigilant in their efforts to maintain communal harmony and ensure that false information does not lead to unnecessary conflict. They emphasised the importance of responsible communication and the need for community members to refrain from making unfounded allegations that could escalate tensions. “We urge everyone to stay calm and not to believe in hearsay,” said a police spokesperson. “It is crucial to respect each other’s sentiments and work together to maintain peace in our community.”