Communal tension flared in Hyderabad’s Malakpet locality on October 4 night after eggs and tomatoes were hurled by Islamists at Maa Durga Devi’s murti during the Visarjan procession. The shocking act, caught on video and widely circulated online, sparked outrage among Hindu devotees and raised serious questions about the growing religious intolerance in Hyderabad’s Old City.
According to eyewitnesses, the Durga procession was proceeding peacefully near RKT Homes, Akberbagh, when the objects were suddenly thrown from nearby buildings, directly striking the murti of Maa Durga. “We were performing the visarjan with devotion when eggs and tomatoes came flying from above. It was clearly a planned act to provoke and disrespect our belief,” said one of the devotees.
Police teams rushed to the spot and prevented the situation from spiralling into full-scale violence. An FIR has been filed under Sections 299, 196, 353 r/w 3(5) of the BNS, and authorities confirmed that CCTV footage from the area is being examined to identify the culprits.
NO stoppage on Attack on Sanatan
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) strongly condemned the violence that erupted during the Durga Visarjan procession in Cuttack and announced a city-wide bandh October 6. The organisation held the district administration and police accountable, demanding the transfer of the Cuttack District Collector and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), along with routine checks in the communally sensitive Qadam Rasul area. At a press conference, VHP Cuttack district president Basudev Behera expressed outrage over the attacks, which he alleged were orchestrated by “jihadi forces.” He stated that devotees and participants in the immersion procession were targeted with stones, sticks, and even sharp weapons.
“This is an extremely condemnable act,” Behera said, noting that at least four youths and several policemen, including the DCP himself, were critically injured. The clashes occurred near two major puja pandals – Bhagabat Committee Jhanjirimangala and the Rausapatana ground – where groups of miscreants reportedly launched assaults on the procession.
“Not only was there stone-pelting, but even sword and knife attacks were carried out openly. What is more shocking is that the police stood by as mute spectators,” Behera added.
According to the VHP, despite claims that 1,000 CCTV cameras and drones had been deployed across the city for surveillance, they were ineffective in preventing the incident. “What purpose did this expensive surveillance serve? This is a complete failure of the police and intelligence system,” Behera questioned. He further alleged that while miscreants brandished swords and lathis, police personnel were seen protecting them rather than arresting them. “We have video evidence of this. The police could have detained them on the spot but chose not to. This raises suspicions about the neutrality of both the police and the state government,” he said.
Locals say this was not an isolated episode. “Five years ago, we were stopped from setting up a Ganesh pandal here. The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsava Samiti had to intervene,” said a resident. “Two years ago, during Sri Ram Navami, the same thing happened, eggs were thrown from rooftops. Every time we celebrate, someone finds an excuse to attack or disrupt it.”
Residents allege this is part of a larger attempt to suppress Hindu presence in certain pockets of the Old City. Many Hindu families have either sold their homes or moved out, fearing targeted harassment. A similar incident occurred during Ganesh Visarjan in Paltan, also in Malakpet, two years ago. Although a complaint was lodged, police dismissed the case, citing that the accused were “mentally unstable.”
This time, police have assured residents of action after reviewing CCTV evidence. Yet, even after AIMIM MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala and a local corporator visited the site on October 5, complainants say they have received no update on arrests or investigation progress.
Pattern of religious intolerance in Hyderabad’s old city
The Malakpet attack shows a disturbing trend of growing intolerance in Hyderabad’s Old City, where objections to Hindu festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Bathukamma, and now Vijayadashami have become frequent.
In recent months, Muslim residents filed complaints against the playing of devotional songs at Vinayaka mandaps, even when organisers had official permissions. When Hindu residents questioned why the five times a day Azaan and Friday sermons were not also subjected to similar decibel checks, the objections abruptly stopped, exposing what locals call a selective and hypocritical intolerance
toward Hindu rituals.
“Muslims happily set up stalls during our festivals, selling garlands and flowers at double the price, but object when we play bhajans or hold processions,” said a local resident. “This double standard is unacceptable.”
Hindu organisations have accused the Congress-led Telangana government of turning a blind eye to repeated provocations, while AIMIM leaders, including the Owaisi brothers, have been criticised for remaining silent despite multiple attacks within their political strongholds.
Bathukamma attacks in Adilabad and Karimnagar
The Malakpet incident came close on the heels of two attacks during Bathukamma celebrations, Telangana’s floral festival dedicated to Goddess Gauri, further deepening concerns of targeted provocation.
In Adilabad, on September 23, Panchayat Secretary Salma Sultana allegedly drove her car over a Bathukamma pedestal (gadde) in Jandapur village, damaging the sacred floral arrangement prepared by women
In Adilabad, on September 23, Panchayat Secretary Salma Sultana allegedly drove her car over a Bathukamma pedestal (gadde) in Jandapur village, damaging the sacred floral arrangement prepared by women. When confronted, she reportedly said, “What do you want now? I will send labourers to clean it. I am a woman, I will file cases against you.”
Local women demanded an apology and her transfer, accusing her of disrespecting a sacred tradition. Following complaints by VHP leaders, police registered a case and initiated an inquiry. Villagers said she only visited the site again after official pressure.
The same day, in Karimnagar’s Shantinagar area, a man named Sheikh Sajju allegedly threw stones at women performing Bathukamma celebrations, injuring four, Kasaarapu Lakshmi, Madhu Reddy, Ellamma, and Mogili Akiranand. When the victims protested, Sajju’s family allegedly joined in and assaulted one of the women.
Police later arrested Sajju after a complaint was filed, rejecting claims that he was intoxicated. Locals described it as a deliberate attack with communal undertones.
Violence spreads nationwide during Durga Puja 2025
What unfolded in Hyderabad and Telangana reflects a larger national pattern. Across Bharat, at least 11 incidents of communal clashes were reported during Durga Puja and immersion processions in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.
Odisha (October 4, 2025), Cuttack
A Durga Puja immersion procession in Cuttack’s Dargha Bazaar area turned violent when members of a Muslim group allegedly objected to loud music during the procession. The argument quickly escalated, leading to stone pelting, torching of vehicles, and vandalism of shops in Dargha Bazaar and Hatipokhari areas.
Madhya Pradesh (October 4, Shahdol)
In Shahdol’s Tudal Raja area, a Durga immersion procession was attacked by a group of miscreants from a minority community. Eyewitnesses said the attackers pelted stones, injuring several devotees including women.
Maharashtra (October 4, Tuljapur)
Violence erupted in Tuljapur’s Tavanti area during a Durga Puja immersion rally. A mob allegedly attacked devotees with stones and sticks, injuring around 25 people. According to police, the dispute began over the playing of music near a mosque and escalated quickly.
Uttar Pradesh (October 1, Tanda)
A shocking incident occurred in Sumerpur town of Tanda, Uttar Pradesh, during the immersion of Durga’s murti when a woman was burnt after an acid-like liquid was hurled by a group of attackers. Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred when the procession passed by a mosque. The victim, identified as Pooja, suffered severe burns and was hospitalised immediately.
Madhya Pradesh (October 1, Dindori)
In Dindori district’s Jayameda area, a group of Muslim youth attacked devotees during a Durga murti immersion procession, injuring several participants. Police officials confirmed that the immersion was later completed under security cover.
Uttar Pradesh (October 1, Rae Bareli)
Tensions gripped Rae Bareli’s Kotwali police station limits when a Durga immersion procession passing through Maharaja Road was attacked with swords and stones by a group of Muslim men near a mosque. One devotee was seriously injured. Police registered an FIR against several individuals including Suleman, Jameer, and Ahmad, identified as the prime accused. Authorities imposed Section 144 and stationed security forces to maintain order.
Uttar Pradesh (September 28, Shravasti)
A video that surfaced on social media showed a group of Muslim men allegedly attacking a Durga Puja pandal and devotees in Shravasti district. The footage, which went viral on September 30, shows women and elderly devotees running for safety as stones were thrown. Police identified the accused seen in the viral clip and initiated legal proceedings.
Chhattisgarh (September 27, Bhilai)
In Bhilai’s Khavji area (CAP-2), a religious rally organized by members of the Sahu community was attacked by Muslim youths with sharp weapons and stones, leaving 4-5 people injured. Following the attack, hundreds of locals gathered outside Khavji police station demanding strict action.
Gujarat (September 24, Rajpipla)
A violent clash erupted in Rajpipla’s Dehram Taluka during a Janmashtami fair when a group of Muslim men allegedly attacked Hindu devotees carrying an “I Love Mahadev” poster. Shops and vehicles were vandalised, and one shop was set on fire. Even police vehicles were not spared.
A violent clash erupted in Rajpipla’s Dehram Taluka during a Janmashtami fair when a group of Muslim men allegedly attacked Hindu devotees carrying an “I Love Mahadev” poster. Shops and vehicles were vandalised, and one shop was set on fire. Even police vehicles were not spared
Maharashtra (September 21, Rohini)
In the Rohini area of Murti district, a murti of Maa Durga was found desecrated near the Anabhav Satheji locality. The incident led to an immediate confrontation between two communities, with reports alleging involvement of local Muslim groups.
Bihar (September 19, Purnea)
In Purnea’s Majrama area under Ajrahi police station, communal tension broke out when a Muslim youth, identified as Ehtesham, allegedly desecrated a murti of Maa Durga during the Janmashtami fair. One person, Om Prakash Paswan, was injured while attempting to stop the desecration.
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