After a public outcry, the Telangana Police apprehended Mandula Balu, a BJP leader in Armoor town, for allegedly assaulting a school principal over the teaching of Urdu. Balu, the president of BJP’s Armoor town unit, was taken into custody from a guest house in Ankapoor, reportedly owned by Paidi Rakesh Reddy, the BJP MLA from the Armoor Assembly constituency.
Police officers physically removed Balu from the guest house, despite resistance from him and his supporters. The incident occurred after Balu slapped Amer Khan, the principal of Bharat Chandra School, during an argument regarding the teaching of Urdu at the private school. The assault, captured on video and widely shared on social media, led to demands for action against the BJP leader and the police officer present during the incident.
BJP leaders alleged that the Urdu teacher at the school was also instructing Hindu students in Namaaz and other religious practices, a claim denied by the school management. The management clarified that Urdu was introduced as the second language based on parental requests. Following objections from non-Muslim parents, Urdu classes were discontinued. Subsequently, a complaint was filed against Balu and others, leading to the registration of an FIR for criminal trespass, causing hurt, and mischief.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury condemned the incident, emphasizing the cultural significance of Urdu and criticizing attempts to hinder its teaching. She highlighted Urdu’s historical influence on Telangana and shared a poem celebrating the language’s beauty and inclusivity.
