Telangana BJP chief Ramchandra Rao placed under house arrest ahead of Banswada visit
HYDERABAD: Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao went into police custody on Sunday when he tried to leave for Banswada in Kamareddy district, where a communal clash broke out on Friday.
Police placed him under house arrest on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, he attempted to travel from his Tarnaka residence to Banswada. Police stopped him and took him into custody.
Tension flared outside his house as supporters tried to block the police. Officers detained several protesters and shifted Rao to Bollarum police station.
Planned visit to Kamareddy
Earlier, Rao told reporters that he would visit Kamareddy to show solidarity with BJP MLA K. Venkata Ramana Reddy, who was allegedly attacked. He claimed that police arrested about 100 BJP workers in Banswada during a bandh called by Hindu organisations.
After his detention, Rao posted on X and described the situation as an “emergency” in Telangana.
“The Anti-Hindu, Muslim League Maoist Congress has arrested me and is taking me to Bollarum PS for standing up for the Hindus of Banswada and for our karyakartas in Kamareddy,” he wrote.
In an earlier post, he said that in Congress-ruled Telangana, speaking up for Hindu victims in Banswada and party workers in Kamareddy had become a “crime”.
“Let it be clear, Congress is the New Muslim League. It has reduced itself to appeasement politics. By its actions, it seems determined to repeat the worst chapters of divisive politics in our history. If Congress believes that confining me to my home will silence me or help it escape accountability, it is mistaken. I will continue to stand firmly with our people, no matter the pressure,” he said.
Two cases after stone pelting
The clash in Banswada began on Friday evening. A youth objected to a devotional song playing in a supermarket. The supermarket staff allegedly assaulted him.
Members of two communities later gathered near the store and threw stones at each other. The violence injured two police personnel.
Police deployed additional forces in the town to prevent further unrest. Officers registered two cases and arrested 12 people on rioting charges
