Harish Rao Detained by Police Near Telangana Bhavan Ahead of Gun Park Debate
Senior BRS leader and former Telangana minister Harish Rao was detained by police near Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday after he attempted to travel to Gun Park for a proposed public discussion on alleged irregularities in Gurukul institutions and the state's debt. The detention followed a confrontation between police and BRS workers after authorities prevented him from proceeding to the venue, citing the absence of official permission for the gathering.
The incident comes amid an escalating political exchange between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with leaders from both parties challenging each other to a public debate on key governance issues.
Police Stop Harish Rao Near Telangana Bhavan
Harish Rao had announced that he would attend the discussion at Gun Park after accepting a challenge issued by Congress leaders. However, police intercepted his convoy outside Telangana Bhavan and informed him that permission had not been granted for any public meeting or debate at the location.
The move triggered protests by BRS workers, who argued that their leader was merely responding to a challenge issued by the ruling party. As police prevented the convoy from moving forward, the situation quickly turned tense, with party supporters engaging in heated arguments with security personnel.
Scuffle Erupts as Harish Rao Walks Towards Gun Park
After his vehicle was stopped, Harish Rao decided to continue towards Gun Park on foot. Police again intervened to stop him, leading to a scuffle between officers and BRS leaders and supporters.
During the pushing and jostling, Harish Rao fell to the ground. Police later took him, along with several BRS leaders and party workers, into custody and shifted them to a police station.
The detention drew sharp criticism from BRS supporters, who accused the government of preventing the opposition from participating in a discussion that had been publicly proposed by Congress leaders.
What Triggered the Dispute?
The controversy began after Congress ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman Kumar, along with Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin, challenged Harish Rao and BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) to a public debate on allegations relating to corruption in Telangana's Gurukul institutions and the state's growing debt.
Accepting the challenge, Harish Rao said the BRS was prepared to participate in the discussion and claimed that the party possessed evidence to support its position. He also asserted that Congress leaders should not withdraw from the debate after issuing the invitation.
The exchange further intensified the political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS in Telangana.
Harish Rao Questions Police Action
Before being detained, Harish Rao questioned the rationale behind the police restrictions.
He asked why he was being stopped from attending a discussion after Congress leaders had publicly invited him. He alleged that the ruling party had called for a debate but was now relying on police action instead of facing the opposition.
Police maintained that their action was based solely on law and order considerations. Officials stated that no permission had been granted for a gathering at Gun Park and that restrictions were imposed to prevent any disturbance to public order.
The incident is expected to add further political heat to the ongoing dispute between the Congress government and the BRS over governance, allegations concerning Gurukul institutions, and the state's financial position.
Related: Read our earlier report on the developments leading up to the confrontation between Harish Rao and the police at Gun Park: Harish Rao Detained Outside Telangana Bhavan Amid Political Standoff.