BJP Candidate's Provocative Gesture During Ram Navami Yatra Sparks Controversy

During a Ram Navami yatra in Hyderabad, BJP candidate Madhavi Latha allegedly pretended to shoot an arrow at a nearby mosque, prompting a strong reaction from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. The incident has triggered a major controversy, with Owaisi condemning Latha's actions as "vulgar, obscene, and provocative."

In a video that surfaced on social media, Latha can be seen miming the action of shooting an arrow towards the mosque during the procession. Owaisi accused the BJP and RSS of trying to "disturb the peace of the city" and destroy the peace and brotherhood in Telangana through such provocative actions. He expressed confidence that the people of Hyderabad have seen the BJP's "intentions" and will reject the party in favor of peace in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Latha, who is contesting against Owaisi for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, later issued an apology, claiming that the video was "incomplete" and that she was gesturing to shoot an imaginary arrow towards the sky, not at the mosque. She accused the AIMIM of resorting to "hateful speeches" to sideline BJP leaders and divert people's attention, calling it a "conspiracy" against the BJP.

The incident has further highlighted the tensions between the BJP and AIMIM in Hyderabad. Owaisi urged the Election Commission to take action suo motu and questioned the silence of the Hyderabad police commissioner. AIMIM representatives stated their intention to file a complaint with the Election Commission over the incident.

Why this matters: The controversy surrounding Madhavi Latha's provocative gesture during the Ram Navami yatra has raised concerns about communal tensions and the potential disruption of peace in Hyderabad. As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the incident highlights the political rivalry between the BJP and AIMIM, with both parties accusing each other of provocative actions and hate speech.

Owaisi emphasized the importance of preserving the peace in Hyderabad, which has remained peaceful for over 15 years, and stated that peace is crucial for Telangana's prosperity. The Chief Electoral Officer said the video had not come to his notice earlier but assured that adequate action would be taken. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the electoral battle between Madhavi Latha and Asaduddin Owaisi in the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency.

Key Takeaways

• BJP candidate Madhavi Latha allegedly mimed shooting an arrow at a mosque in Hyderabad.
• AIMIM chief Owaisi condemned Latha's actions as "vulgar, obscene, and provocative".
• Latha apologized, claiming the video was incomplete and she was gesturing to the sky.
• Owaisi urged the Election Commission to take action and questioned the police's silence.
• The incident highlights tensions between BJP and AIMIM ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.