Hyderabad: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Telangana has formally requested the Director General of Police to withdraw a memo issued to a Hyderabad police officer who is currently observing Ayyappa Deeksha. The appeal, submitted by BJYM State President Ganesh Kunde, on November 27, argues that the action has caused concern among Ayyappa devotees and the wider Hindu community.
In its representation, the BJYM said that issuing administrative directions during the sacred Deeksha period was being viewed as “insensitive” and had “hurt the sentiments of devotees across the state”. Kunde urged the police leadership to address the matter with “seriousness and sensitivity”.
BJYM’s Key Requests
The letter to the DGP outlines three primary demands:
Immediate withdrawal of the memo issued to the Sub-Inspector observing Ayyappa Deeksha.
Official apology by the police department to Hindus and Ayyappa Swamis who felt affected by the decision.
Fresh instructions to ensure that similar incidents do not recur and that religious observances of police personnel are handled respectfully within service rules.
The BJYM stated that such steps were essential to maintain confidence among devotees and safeguard the dignity of religious practices within the police force.
Background: Police Memo on Uniform Rules
The controversy began after a memo dated November 20, 2025 was issued by the South East Zone, Hyderabad City Police. Citing an earlier Head Office circular from June 2024, the memo reiterated that police personnel cannot grow hair or beard, wear black devotional attire, or modify uniform standards while on duty for religious reasons. Officers wishing to undertake Deeksha were advised to apply for leave.
Based on these rules, the South East Zone rejected the application of Sub-Inspector S. Krishnakanth of Kanchanbagh Police Station, prompting the latest protests and the BJYM’s intervention.
Reacting to this, Dr Shashidhar, VHP national Spokersperson, questioned whether the rules were being applied equally across all communities. Responding to the memo issued to the officer observing Ayyappa Deeksha, he said the move appeared discriminatory and raised concerns about inconsistency in the enforcement of departmental guidelines.
He asked why memos were issued for wearing the Ayyappa mala, while no action was taken against Muslim officers who maintain beards while on duty. He also questioned why rules did not obstruct police personnel from wearing caps and sherwanis during Iftar events hosted at Falaknuma Palace using the resources of the Hyderabad City Police.
@SajjanarVC గారు,@hydcitypolice కమీషనర్ గారు దీనిపై చర్యలు చేపట్టండి.
అయ్యప్ప మాల వేసుకున్న పోలీసుకు ఉన్నతాధికారులు మెమో ఇవ్వడం హిందూ వ్యతిరేఖ విధానం.
గడ్డం పెంచుకొని విధులు నిర్వహిస్తున్న ముస్లీం పోలీసులకు ఎందుకు మెమోలు ఇవ్వలేదు?.
టోపీలు & షేర్వానీలు ధరించి ఫలక్ నామా ప్యాలెస్… pic.twitter.com/vC2cOBT5rN— Dr.Ravinuthala Shashidhar (@shashidhar147) November 25, 2025
He further pointed out that officers on duty receive relaxations during Ramadan for afternoon prayers and for evening Iftar, and asked why similar consideration was not extended to Hindu officers undergoing Ayyappa Deeksha. “The beliefs of Hindu devotees must be respected just as the department accommodates religious practices of others,” he said.
Protests Outside DGP Office
The matter escalated after Ayyappa devotees, accompanied by BJYM workers, demonstrated outside the Telangana DGP’s office on November 27. Videos circulating on social media showed devotees alleging that the restrictions imposed on policemen observing Deeksha were unfair and contrary to long-standing traditions. Some protesters were briefly detained when police attempted to manage the crowd.
అయ్యప్ప స్వామి దీక్ష తీసుకున్న పోలీసులకు మెమోలు జారీ చేయడాన్ని నిరసిస్తూ, తెలంగాణ బిజెపి యువ మోర్చా అధ్యక్షుడు శ్రీ గణేష్ కుండే గారి నేతృత్వంలో యువ మోర్చా నాయకులు ,అయ్యప్ప స్వాములు డీజీపీ కార్యాలయాన్ని ముట్టడించి, ధర్నా నిర్వహించి, అదనపు డీజీపీకి వినతిపత్రం అందజేశారు.
అసదుద్దీన్… pic.twitter.com/T6Y3WqavOQ
— BJP Telangana (@BJP4Telangana) November 27, 2025
Devotees questioned why officers wearing the Ayyappa mala were being subjected to grooming and uniform restrictions. They argued that the rules undermined religious freedom and caused distress to practising devotees within the force.
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