Raja Singh Opposes Muslim Bouncers at Dandiya Events, Owaisi Hits Back

A political controversy has erupted in Hyderabad over the reported appointment of Muslim bouncers at Navratri Dandiya events, with Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi exchanging statements over the issue. The dispute has brought questions of religious identity, participation and security arrangements at festive events into the political spotlight.

Raja Singh released a video message in which he appealed to organisers of Dandiya programmes to refrain from employing Muslim bouncers at Hindu religious events. He alleged that some Muslim bouncers attending Dandiya programmes were involved in what he described as “love jihad.” He also questioned Owaisi’s authority to ask event organisers to employ Muslim bouncers for such programmes.

The Goshamahal MLA further warned Dandiya organisers that he would oppose events where Muslim bouncers were employed. At the same time, he sought to assure organisers that they “need not be afraid of anyone”, saying that he would stand by them if they faced opposition over the issue.

The remarks came in response to a separate statement by Owaisi regarding reports that some Dandiya organisers were allegedly refusing to employ Muslim bouncers and other Muslim staff members. The AIMIM chief said that several people had brought the matter to his attention and claimed that organisers were being pressured by “extremist organisations” to exclude Muslims from such events.

Owaisi urged the police to take strict action against such pressure and attempts to create divisions along religious lines. Describing the development as a form of “poison”, he called for measures to prevent the issue from escalating further.

The AIMIM president also appealed to the people of Telangana to oppose such developments collectively, irrespective of their religious backgrounds. He argued that allowing communal divisions to deepen could affect the state’s progress and development.

The exchange between the two leaders comes as Hyderabad prepares for a series of Navratri celebrations and Dandiya events. The controversy has consequently placed the participation of people from different communities in festive programmes at the centre of a fresh political debate in the city.