Hindutvawadi MLA Raja Singh stopped and detained by police on way to communal clash site in Banswada.

B Upendran | HENB | Nizamabad | Feb 22, 2026:: Tensions remained high in Telangana’s Kamareddy district on Sunday after police detained T. Raja Singh, the sitting MLA from Goshamahal and former BJP Legislature Party leader in the state, while he was on his way to violence-affected Banswada.

Raja Singh Taken Into Preventive Custody

Raja Singh Thakur was intercepted by police at Shankarampet in Medak district on February 22 as he travelled towards Banswada in Kamareddy district. According to police sources, officers acted on instructions from senior officials in view of the recent communal clashes in the area.

He was taken into preventive custody and shifted to a nearby police station. Singh reportedly attempted to persuade the officers, stating that he was heading to Nirmal for a scheduled meeting. However, police declined permission for him to proceed, citing concerns over law and order in the communally sensitive town.

Though he is no longer with the BJP, Raja Singh continues to serve as the MLA from Goshamahal and had previously led the BJP Legislature Party in Telangana.

BJP Leader Lakshminarayana Also Stopped

In a related development, BJP leader and Banswada constituency in-charge Endala Lakshminarayana was also detained while attempting to visit the area to meet party workers injured in the clashes. Police stopped him at Ankol and escorted him to his residence in Nizamabad, citing precautionary measures to prevent further tension.

Speaking after being stopped, Lakshminarayana alleged that incidents targeting members of the majority community had increased since the Congress government assumed office in Telangana. Referring to the recent stone-pelting, he claimed that the alleged perpetrators had not been arrested, while members of the majority community were taken into custody and harassed.

He accused the police of acting under political pressure and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the violence. He also warned that protests would be organised across the Banswada constituency if action was not taken.

Both T. Raja Singh and Lakshminarayana are known for their strong Hindutva lineage.

Origin of the Clashes

The communal unrest in Banswada reportedly began on Friday night following a dispute over loud music being played at a shopping mall. A man from the minority community allegedly objected to the volume, triggering an argument that escalated into a larger confrontation between two groups.

Both sides reportedly resorted to stone-pelting, leaving several people injured. Police have registered two cases in connection with the incident and have identified around 50 individuals allegedly involved. Additional police forces continue to be deployed in the town to prevent further escalation and maintain order.

Political Fallout

The preventive detention of Raja Singh along with the stopping of Lakshminarayana has intensified political controversy in the state. The BJP has accused the Congress-led government of restricting the movement of opposition leaders under the guise of maintaining communal harmony.

Police officials, however, maintain that the preventive measures were necessary to ensure peace and prevent further flare-ups in the sensitive area as investigations continue.

Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain calm as efforts are underway to restore normalcy in Banswada.
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— With agency inputs