Hyderabad: Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesman Amjed Ullah Khan has questioned the silence of the GHMC and Hyderabad City Police. His concern relates to a large cut-out of Hindu deity Sree Ram at a GHMC park in Basheer Bagh. He also questioned the reported construction of a Mandir at the site.
According to Khan, the cut-out came up recently without permission from the concerned GHMC authorities. He said this was based on the information available to him. He asked why the GHMC and the city police allegedly failed to prevent or question the installation.
Khan further alleged that BJP and RSS-linked leaders have been making public statements for the past several days. They claim that Basheer Bagh X Road will henceforth be called “Sree Ram Chowk”. Statements attributed to VHP spokesman Dr. Ravinuthala Shashidhar and former BJP Corporator Akula Sarvani have reportedly circulated widely on social media.
“Who has authorised anyone to change the name of a public road? Under what law can a political party or organisation unilaterally rename Basheer Bagh X Road?” Khan asked. He also questioned the alleged encroachment of the GHMC park and the construction of a religious structure.
Khan said he used to travel along the road during his school days. At that time, he was not aware of any Mandir inside the present GHMC park. He alleged that a portion of the park is now occupied and a religious structure stands there.
Khan also questioned the recent barricading and closure of roads leading to Nizam College Ground and Fateh Maidan. He asked the Hyderabad City Police to clarify the legal basis and purpose of these restrictions. He further questioned the role of the Intelligence Department. He asked why it allegedly failed to anticipate or report developments that could create tension in a sensitive part of Hyderabad.
MBT alleges selective action on social media content
Khan also raised concerns over what he called selective action on social media content. He pointed to the Telangana police and authorities in this regard.
He recalled that he, some Muslim journalists and non-political organisations had posted material on an incident in Armoor. It involved Armoor Town BJP President Madhula Balu allegedly slapping Mohammed Anwer Khan, Principal of Bharath Chandra School.
According to Khan, R. Bhaskaran, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of the Counter Intelligence Cell, later wrote to X (Twitter) and Meta. He sought the removal of content posted by around 40 persons, including Khan and Muslim journalists. Khan further alleged that D. Janaki, IPS, Superintendent of Police, has also acted against posts concerning BJP and RSS activities. This allegedly included registering criminal cases against Muslim journalists.
Khan noted that police can allegedly act swiftly against social media posts critical of the BJP or RSS. However, videos of VHP and BJP leaders openly discussing the proposed renaming are allegedly circulating freely. He questioned why these videos face no similar scrutiny or action.
Recalling the area’s history, Khan said Basheer Bagh takes its name from Bashir-ud-Dowla Nawab Asman Jah Bahadur. The Nawab served as Prime Minister of the erstwhile Hyderabad State from 1887 to 1894. He built the Basheer Bagh Palace in 1880.
According to Khan, the Nawab invited gold and diamond businessmen from different parts of the world. He gave them space around his palace for their business activities. Over the years, the area grew into an important gold and diamond business centre. It also came to be associated with Basheer Bagh X Road.