VHP, Bajrang Dal Stop 22 Men at Begumpet Venue Amid Pandal Scuffle
A festive evening turned volatile in Hyderabad on Thursday night after a confrontation broke out during a Navratri Dandiya Nights gathering organized at the Hockey Grounds in Begumpet. The atmosphere inside the packed celebratory pandal grew tense when functionaries from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal intervened upon identifying 22 non-Hindu individuals among the crowd, sparking a heated verbal altercation that rapidly escalated into a physical scuffle. Local law enforcement units from the Begumpet police station rushed to the venue upon receiving emergency alerts, quickly bringing the chaotic situation under control and taking custody of the individuals to prevent further flare-ups during the ongoing festive celebrations.
Allegations of Filming Women and Physical Altercation Inside Begumpet Pandal
According to representatives of the Telangana Bajrang Dal, organizational cadres mobilized and arrived at the Begumpet Hockey Grounds following specific tip-offs regarding the entry of unauthorized individuals at the private event. The right-wing outfits alleged that several of the 22 non-Hindu attendees were actively participating on the dance floor alongside female participants, while others were allegedly seen recording unauthorized videos of women celebrating the festival. Leaders of the outfit claimed that when their members questioned the men regarding their credentials and presence at the venue, a confrontation ensued with the individuals allegedly attempting to assault the activists. Following the altercation, the activists detained the group, escorted them to the local authorities, and formally submitted a written complaint requesting rigorous legal action.
Police Launch Probe as VHP-Bajrang Dal Reiterate Entry Ban Demands
Officers from the Begumpet police confirmed that a formal inquiry has been initiated into the incident, examining both the conduct of the attendees and the chain of events that triggered the scuffle at the venue. The confrontation follows a series of representations previously submitted by the VHP and the Bajrang Dal to the Telangana Police and private festive organizers across Hyderabad. In earlier memorandums, the organizations had urged law enforcement and event management firms to enforce mandatory identity verification and restrict non-Hindu entry into Navratri and Dandiya programs, characterizing the nine-night observance strictly as a sacred Hindu religious festival. With police personnel continuing their investigation into the complaints filed at the Begumpet station, security monitoring around major garba and dandiya venues across the twin cities has been heightened to ensure public order throughout the remaining festive days.
