A communal flare-up was reported in Banswada in Kamareddy district of Telangana on February 20 evening after an altercation at a Reliance Mart allegedly escalated into violence, protests, and heavy police deployment, with BJP leader and former MLA Y. Laxminarayana being arrested amid the fallout and BJP state president house arrested by state police.
Local Version of Events
According to local accounts, the incident began when a Hindu woman played a song dedicated to Durga Devi inside the store, which reportedly drew objections from a Muslim employee who asked her to stop and hurled abusive remarks. The situation escalated after the woman informed her family about an alleged verbal altercation. When her brother arrived to question the matter, he was reportedly attacked by the supporters of Muslim employee, triggering tensions.
బాన్సువాడ రిలయన్స్ మార్ట్ లో ఒక హిందూ మహిళ దుర్గాదేవి సాంగ్ పెట్టినందుకు అందులో పని చేస్తున్న ముస్లిం అభ్యంతరం తెలపడం జరిగింది.
ఆ హిందూ మహిళతో అసభ్యకరంగా మాట్లాడినందుకు బాధితురాలి అమ్మాయి వాళ్ళ అన్నకి చెప్పడంతో అడగడానికి వచ్చిన అమ్మాయి వాళ్ళ అన్న పైన దాడికి దిగిన ముస్లింలు… pic.twitter.com/WfSRIzT5cT
— Telangana Maata (@TelanganaMaata) February 21, 2026
Residents reported that a large crowd estimated locally at around 500 people gathered, leading to a tense atmosphere, with incidents of stone-pelting reported in parts of Banswada and damage to some roadside establishments. The unrest led to protests and calls for action against those involved.
Police Version
Kamareddy Superintendent of Police M. Rajesh Chandra told the media that the episode originated from an argument at the Reliance Mart between a customer and a salesgirl, and that the matter was later viewed through a communal lens because the individuals belonged to different communities.
He said the case relates to alleged harassment of a salesgirl by a customer, for which an FIR was registered and the accused taken into custody. Police also detained individuals involved in assault following the incident.
బాన్సువాడ పట్టణంలో ప్రస్తుతం ప్రశాంత వాతావరణం నెలకొంది.నిన్నటి ఘటనపై కేసులు నమోదు చేసి దర్యాప్తు కొనసాగుతోంది.దోషులపై కఠిన చర్యలు తీసుకుంటాం.ఇరువర్గాల పెద్దలు మతసామరస్యానికి సహకరించడం అభినందనీయం.వదంతులు నమ్మవద్దు.సోషల్ మీడియాలో అసత్య,విద్వేషపూరిత పోస్టులు చేయవద్దు – జిల్లా ఎస్పీ pic.twitter.com/DmNBrc5KsB
— SP Kamareddy (@sp_kamareddy) February 21, 2026
The SP said that after the incident, groups gathered near the police station from both sides, creating tension, and that some anti-social elements resorted to stone-pelting. A police constable sustained bleeding injuries and is undergoing treatment.
Based on CCTV footage, police have identified 42 persons allegedly involved in stone-pelting and are registering cases under serious sections. Authorities warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb communal harmony, forcibly shut shops, or spread provocative messages on social media. Special forces were deployed and pickets established at multiple locations across Banswada to maintain order.
BJP Reaction and Detention of Leader
BJP Telangana President N. Ramchander Rao strongly condemned what he described as the Congress government’s cowardly action and appeasement politics in allegedly illegally arresting BJP and Hindu organisation leaders who had called for a bandh in protest against the incident in Banswada involving an alleged attempt to assault a Hindu woman.
He demanded the immediate release of those detained and called for strict action against the actual culprits, accusing the state government of acting against those raising their voice while failing to deal firmly with offenders.
బాన్సువాడ లో ఓ హిందూ మహిళపై, మతోన్మాదులు అత్యాచారయత్నానికి పాల్పడిన సంఘటనకు నిరసనగా బంద్ కి పిలుపునిచ్చిన బిజెపి – హిందూ సంఘాల నాయకులను అక్రమంగా అరెస్టు చేసిన కాంగ్రెస్ ప్రభుత్వ పిరికి దుశ్చర్యను, సంతుష్టీకరణ రాజకీయాలను తీవ్రంగా ఖండిస్తున్నాను.. వారిని వెంటనే విడుదల చేసి, అసలైన… pic.twitter.com/ly1KXlsVia
— BJP Telangana (@BJP4Telangana) February 21, 2026
Later, around 10 pm on February 22, Rao was placed under house arrest ahead of his proposed visit to Kamareddy and Banswada to meet those affected, with the party alleging that the move was intended to prevent him from reaching the ground.
బాన్సువాడ, కామారెడ్డి పర్యటనకు ముందు బీజేపీ రాష్ట్ర అధ్యక్షులు శ్రీ ఎన్. రామచందర్ రావు గారిని పోలీసులు గృహనిర్బంధం చేయడం రేవంత్ రెడ్డి ప్రభుత్వ భయాన్ని బహిర్గతం చేస్తోంది.
అరెస్టులతో ఆపలేరు, నిర్బంధాలతో అడ్డుకోలేరు. ప్రశ్నించే గొంతుకను చూసి ఎందుకు ఈంత భయం? ప్రజల సమస్యలపై నిలబడే… pic.twitter.com/WNhAGlEcow
— BJP Telangana (@BJP4Telangana) February 21, 2026
The BJP Telangana unit criticised the handling of the situation, alleging bias and failure to act firmly against those responsible for violence. Former Banswada MLA and BJP leader Y. Laxminarayana was detained by police. In a video statement, he alleged partiality in police action, questioned supporters of the accused Muzammil, and raised concerns over attacks on roadside establishments, urging strict action against those involved.
Looks like Revanth reddy has already implemented Sharia law in Telangana.
In Banswada,Kamareddy dist,Telangana a Hindu woman played a Durga Devi song in Reliance Mart, which rattled an Islamist employee and told her to stop it.
She alerted her brother about this, when he came… pic.twitter.com/6yD0KPn4Kr
— Dr.Ravinuthala Shashidhar (@shashidhar147) February 21, 2026
Dr Ravinuthala Shashidhar, VHP spokesperson, said on X: “Looks like Revanth Reddy has already implemented Sharia law in Telangana. In Banswada, Kamareddy district, Telangana, a Hindu woman played a Durga Devi song in Reliance Mart, which rattled an Islamist employee who told her to stop it.”
Looks like Revanth reddy has already implemented Sharia law in Telangana.
In Banswada,Kamareddy dist,Telangana a Hindu woman played a Durga Devi song in Reliance Mart, which rattled an Islamist employee and told her to stop it.
She alerted her brother about this, when he came… pic.twitter.com/6yD0KPn4Kr
— Dr.Ravinuthala Shashidhar (@shashidhar147) February 21, 2026
Banswada is represented by MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, who was elected on the BRS party symbol and later switched to the Congress party, and he is facing a defection case for changing parties.
