Hyderabad, August 22: The “Marwadi Go Back” campaign, which shook Telangana’s public discourse for weeks, has come to an abrupt end after Sai, the victim at the centre of the controversy publicly clarified that the Marwadi community had no role in the alleged assault. What started as a street-level scuffle at Monda Market, Secunderabad on July 30 was swiftly weaponised by anti-social elements, amplified by political voices and activist networks, before finally coming to end on August 21 with a categorical statement from Sai.
On August 21, in a press meet held at Pot Market, Secunderabad, flanked by members of the Marwadi Association, Sai said, “The quarrel was only between me and SK Jewellers. Marwadis have no connection with the attack. I have no link with the ‘Boycott Marwadis’ or ‘Go Back Marwadis’ slogans.”
Sai explained that the incident began with a horn honked on the road, which escalated into an SC/ST atrocity case, but insisted the wider Pot Market traders and Marwadi community were uninvolved. He said that far from being aggressors, Marwadis had supported him throughout, during hospitalisation and until the FIR was filed.
He said that discussions were held with SK Jewellers and that conclusions had been reached. Yet, he emphasised, “Takara Basti residents and Marwadis have lived together peacefully for years and will continue to do so in the future.”
Condemning the disinformation that had spread, Sai noted: “False signals are going out through social media and media about this incident. This press meet was held only to put an end to that.”
Marwadi Union’s Stand
The Marwadi Union also distanced the community from the assault, asserting that they had “no role in the Monda Market incident.” Leaders said the association would review the conduct of SK Jewellers’ management internally and take necessary steps.
How the Campaign Gained Momentum
Following Sai’s assault, the issue was politicised. Narratives emerged across social media, political speeches, and local media that Marwadi traders had “formed a gang” and were “suppressing local businessmen.” This snowballed into calls for Marwadis to leave Telangana.
Political reactions quickly followed. Union state Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar and MLA T. Raja Singh denounced the campaign as a conspiracy, warning of stern responses.
On the other side, Telangana PCC President B Mahesh Kumar Goud said “everyone should practice trade freely,” while Chief Minister Revanth Reddy called for police monitoring and crowd-control measures, as reported in city dailies.
Meanwhile, activist groups seized the moment. Vaisya Vikas Vedika, the Osmania University Students’ Joint Action Committee, and dalit-centric organisations entered the fray. Figures like Prof. G. Haragopal, known for his Maoist sympathies, backed the agitation.
Sources pointed to the role of Urban Naxals and Tamil Nadu–based Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and its Telangana unit in fanning the campaign. Calls for bandhs were made in areas where these groups had influence, giving the issue statewide visibility.
In this campaign, VCK member Shyamson toured extensively, appearing on several YouTube channels and drawing the attention of mainstream media in an attempt to justify his baseless agenda.
It is alleged that the conspirators deliberately attempted to sow hatred against North Indians, seizing the moment to push their narrative of North–South divisions. Their arguments closely mirrored the ideological lines of Dravidian parties aligned with Periyar.
However, the move backfired, as the slogans of “Go Back Marwadis” were countered with calls of “Go Back illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.”
The society started releasing a list highlighting how illegal Bangladeshi Muslim settlements have emerged in Hyderabad, where they are occupying government lands by obtaining Aadhaar and Voter IDs. They are replacing the local labour force with low-wage workers and thereby sidelining citizens’ rights in favour of foreigners — and that too, illegal immigrants. This sparked a campaign across social media, which soon entered the mainstream discourse as well.
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