The famed concepts of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence in Hyderabad have further cracks developing with more stones being hurled in the form of hate speeches. The latest is a provocative speech by a Hindu religious leader Swami Kamalananda Bharati at a recent public rally in the city. Following complaint of religious sentiments being hurt by the speech and objectionable comments lodged by one Rahman, a criminal case has been registered by the Mir Chowk police against the little known Swami.
Two more complaints were made at Dabeerpura and Rein Bazar police stations and the police say that all the three have been handed over to a Special Investigation Team of Hyderabad Central Crime Station. Swami Kamalananda Bharati, who established Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samiti and works for the protection of temples and temple lands, had earlier undertaken a padayatra across the State for the purpose.
At a rally organised near Indira Park on Tuesday, he picked up points from MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s speech and threw a challenge at him.
“If left unchecked by the government, the situation might spiral out of control and more and more religious elements can join the fray,” says Mazher Hussain, Executive Director, Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA). “It’s not the first time nor is it going to be the last. Elements seeking to provoke and polarise the society on communal lines are present on either side and in a way they complement each other,” Mr. Hussain says.
T. Ramesh, secretary, Jana Vignana Vedika, decries the trend of resorting to provocative and controversial comments as a quick march to fame. Some suspect the Telangana issue to be a major reason behind the fresh round of hate speeches. “I strongly feel that it is a deliberate attempt at polarisation on communal lines due to the Telangana issue,” says Padmaja Shaw, Professor, Department of Journalism, Osmania University.
The communal troubles of Hyderabad are described as part of five-year cycle and efforts by different political parties to consolidate gains in elections.
