Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at Tank Bund on Monday after members of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS) protested against restrictions on Ganesh idol immersion and attempted to remove iron barricades installed along the Hussainsagar lakefront.
The protest followed restrictions imposed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad City Police on idol immersion from the upper Tank Bund stretch. BGUS members reached the spot around 11 a.m., removed barricades fixed to the lake railings and tore down flex banners before attempting to stage a road blockade.
Police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. Several BGUS leaders and members were taken into preventive custody. One report said 36 members were detained and taken to Gandhi Nagar police station.
Bandi Sanjay Seeks Release of Detained BGUS Members
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the detention of the BGUS representatives and demanded their release. He also called for traditional Ganesh immersions at Tank Bund to be permitted.
BGUS president G Raghava Reddy said immersion arrangements should be strengthened instead of restricting devotees. He sought adequate drinking water, lighting and queue management facilities at the immersion points.
BGUS general secretary Ravinuthala Shashidhar said the organisation had submitted representations to officials regarding the arrangements and would continue to engage with authorities over facilities for devotees.
The dispute comes ahead of Hyderabad’s main Ganesh immersion procession, with civic and police authorities enforcing restrictions and preparing alternative arrangements around Hussainsagar.
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