Widening of church leads to clashes
A fight between two factions of Janwada village, Sangareddy district, one for supporting road widening and the other for retaining the illegal church site adjacent to the road, is twisted as a fight between non-SCs and churchgoers, which is completely misleading and lacks any substantial evidence.
As per local sources, Janwada village, situated along the Hyderabad-Shankarpally road, has been the focus of a government-approved road widening project. Recently, the government approved a road widening project of the same type, and works are in progress, like levelling the road and laying the pipelines. On the evening of February 13, tensions escalated as villagers approached Church community leaders to seek cooperation for the road widening project. However, disagreements arose, particularly regarding the proximity of the road expansion to the Church premises, leading to heated exchanges and physical altercations between the two factions.
While initial reports suggested a conflict between churchgoers and non-SCs, it is essential to note that the altercation stemmed from differing opinions on the road widening project rather than caste-based animosity. Both sides allege aggression from the other party, resulting in injuries and escalating tensions within the community.
The next day Feb, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Telangana state President and RS Praveen Kumar attempted to reach the village with his supporters to show his support for the Church faction; however, Mokilla Police stopped him before he reached the location where he staged the dharna; thereafter, police refused to allow him to visit the village, which could lead to further problems.
However, RS Praveen Kumar posted a message on X alleging that RSS members in Janwada village attempted to demolish the Methodist church and attacked the village’s Dalits when they attempted to obstruct them, and he demanded a SC ST Atrocity case against the attackers. He also demanded that Dalits be allowed to carry weapons to protect themselves if CM Revant Reddy was unable to handle such attacks. Dalits and minorities should be allowed to carry weapons for self-defense.
Later this was amplified on Social Media by @TheSouthfirst
On Socia Media, people started sharing the ground reports:
After clashes between two groups at Janwada village, @CPCyberabad issued orders invoking sec. 144 in the limits of Mokila PS.
Speaking with Organiser, Police Officer Veerababu said, “On February 14th, both parties involved in the conflict filed complaints at the Mokilla Police Station against each other, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals from both factions. One of the cases is registered under section of the SC ST Atrocities Act. Though they are investigating the case, initial reports indicate that the conflict between the two parties is being portrayed as a caste fight, which is incorrect. However, the only fight occurred as a result of a breakdown in road widening talks between Church members and villagers who support road widening.”
Villagers who wish to remain anonymous stated that this issue has nothing to do with caste discrimination or personal grudges; rather, it is in the interests of village development and improved connectivity to Hyderabad and their village, and it has nothing to do with the village’s churchgoers or Scheduled Caste members. Even the allegations against RSS are false and misleading.
However, the locals allege that the Church was built without due necessary permissions from the village authorities.
RS Praveen Kumar is a former IPS officer who resigned from the service to join politics. In 2023, he lost in Telangana Assembly elections while contesting from Sirpur Constiteuncy.
In 2021, RS Praveen Kumar ran into controversy because of the problematic activities of the SWAEROs. Their pronounced anti-Hindu attitude, too, has created several controversies. His recent participation in a pledge in Peddapalli, where anti-Hindu comments were made, became a huge controversy. Praveen had to apologise and claim that he himself was a Hindu.
LRPF, a legal rights groups also filed complaints against RS Praveen Kumar in this case.
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