Hyderabad: BJP workers protest outside DGP office against police memo on Ayyappa Deeksha

Hyderabad: BJP workers held a protest outside the DGP office in Lakdikapul area of the city on Thursday, November 27, tv9 telugu reported.

Clad in Ayyappa Mala, many workers tried to breach the DGP building gates into the office and were lathi charged by the police.

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Police memo to SI Krishnakanth:

The protest comes after Telangana Police – South East Zone – issued a memo asking a Sub-Inspector of Police S Krishnakanth, at Kanchanbagh Police Station, to explain why he wore Ayyappa mala and undertook Deeksha rituals while on duty.

The memo read “No permission can be issued for growing hair and beard, wearing of civil dress (black dress) without shoes for religious purpose to any member of the disciplinary force like police, while on duty. If any police personnel desirous to observe ‘Deeksha’ they can apply for leave to do so.”

The memo has angered Hindutva groups including VHP and BJP, who called the move ‘discriminatory’ and ‘Anti-Hindu’.

Speaking to the media, Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha State President Ganesh said, “If memo given to the SI is not withdrawn by tomorrow, we will hold statewide protests. We will besiege DGP office with hundreds of Swamis tomorrow. Why are there restrictions on Ayyappa Swamis that are not on other religions.”