Telangana High Court Clears Hindutva Rally Against ‘Jihad’ in Hyderabad.

Dharma Raksha Sabha…

Hyderabad Braces for ‘Jago Bhagyanagar – Chalo Balapur’ Hindutva Mobilisation on January 24.

B Upendran | HENB | Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) | Jan 22, 2026:: The Telangana High Court has granted permission to the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi (BGUS), a right-wing Hindu organisation, to hold a public rally titled “Dharma Raksha Sabha” (Save Religion Congregation) at Ganesh Chowk in Balapur, Hyderabad, on January 24. The decision, delivered on Wednesday, January 21, comes after the state government objected to the proposed event and sought judicial intervention.

Earlier this month, the BGUS announced plans for a public mobilisation aimed at what it described as various forms of “jihad,” including “love jihad,” “economic jihad,” “drug jihad,” “food jihad,” and “land jihad.” These terms, frequently used by Hindutva groups, refer to conspiracy theories alleging systematic efforts to harm and undermine Hindu society. The event was initially proposed under the banner “Hindus Against Jihad,” a title that drew objections from the Congress-led state government, which cited concerns over public order and communal harmony.

Following the court’s clearance, the organisation welcomed the ruling, calling it a “victory for righteousness.” In a revised statement, the BGUS announced that the rally would now be conducted under the slogan “Jago Bhagyanagar – Chalo Balapur” (Awaken Bhagyanagar – March to Balapur). The group expressed gratitude to the judiciary and legal representatives who argued in favour of allowing the gathering.

In its statement, the organisation also made strong claims during the court proceedings, asserting that the state government had acknowledged the presence of approximately 8,000 Rohingya migrants allegedly residing illegally in the Balapur area alone. The government, according to the organisation, was unable to provide data on the number of Bangladeshi nationals living in the region. The BGUS further alleged that large numbers of Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslim migrants have settled across Hyderabad, a claim that has been a recurring point of contention in political discourse but remains disputed and sensitive.

The statement criticised the state government for what it termed neglect of public safety while allegedly prioritising the protection of undocumented migrants. Such assertions, however, are contested and have been the subject of ongoing political and legal debate.

The organisation also reiterated its demand for the city of Hyderabad to be referred to as “Bhagyanagar,” a name that right-wing groups claim was the city’s original historical name. This demand has been a longstanding ideological position among many Hindutva organisations, though historians remain divided on the claim.

The BGUS, which is also known for organising the annual Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav, alleged that Hindu youth are being targeted through substance abuse, that women are being lured into deceptive relationships leading to forced religious conversions, that food is being deliberately adulterated, and that temple lands are being encroached upon. These allegations, commonly raised by right-wing groups, have been rejected by civil rights organisations, which argue that such narratives risk deepening communal divisions.

As the date of the rally approaches, security agencies and local authorities are expected to remain on high alert. The “Jago Bhagyanagar – Chalo Balapur” event is being closely watched, amid concerns over its potential impact on communal harmony in the city, which has a long history of cultural and religious diversity.
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_Agency Inputs.