Hindu right-wing activists in Hyderabad’s Balapur held a dharna outside Madarsa Noomania, which operates inside the nearly 400-year-old Masjid-e-Hussaini, demanding the madrasa’s closure, alleging that it is illegally run.
Led by BJP leader Ramkrishna Reddy, Hindutva activists held a protest near the Masjid in Sultanapur, under the jurisdiction of Balapur Police Station, demanding the closure of the madrasa, which has been operating inside the mosque premises for the past seven years.
A video of the protest showed participants reciting Hindu slogans, clapping hands, and chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
Speaking to reporters, Ramkrishna Reddy alleged, “Rohingyas who do not belong to the region are living in the madrasa, and many local Hindus are facing severe difficulties.”
They claimed that they called off the protest after ACP Janakiram Reddy arrived at the spot and promised to take action against the “illegally run madrasa.”
However, madrasa in-charge Akbar Khan alleged that the BJP is “falsely claiming the madrasa is illegal” and accusing them of teaching students from outside the region.
He clarified that “all students are from Telangana” and stated that this issue has been ongoing for the past six months.
Mohammed Riyas, a resident of the area, said this appears to be a “deliberate attempt to disrupt the communal harmony” that exists in the locality.
Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT), met the Inspector of Police, Balapur, demanding action against BJP leaders who staged a dharna and raised slogans against Muslims.
Calling the act one of “Hindutva communal elements,” Amjed Ullah Khan alleged, “Balapur Police were mute spectators while the dharna was ongoing and anti-Muslim slogans were being raised.”
He questioned, “Why didn’t the police take them into custody?” as no FIR has been filed, nor have any arrests been made till now.
