HYDERABAD – The historic Puranapul Darwaza area in Old City Hyderabad witnessed a night of high tension and communal unrest on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. What began as a report of a damaged temple flexi quickly escalated into a violent confrontation involving stone-pelting, arson, and the desecration of a nearby graveyard.
The Trigger: Vandalism at Mysamma Temple
The trouble reportedly began late Wednesday night when a tattered flexi board and a partially damaged deity idol were discovered at the Mysamma Temple near Puranapul Darwaza. Local residents, led by P. Sainath, alleged that an unidentified intruder entered the temple premises, damaged the idol, and fled by jumping over a wall when confronted.
While initial rumors suggested the main sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Gudi) was targeted, the Rajendranagar Police later clarified that the main idols remained safe and only a flexi and a secondary idol were partially damaged.
Escalation and Violence
As news of the temple desecration spread, an angry mob of nearly 300 people gathered at the site. The situation turned volatile as the crowd began chanting slogans and moved toward a nearby shrine of another community.
Key incidents reported during the unrest:
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Graveyard Vandalism: Videos emerged on social media showing miscreants wrecking graves with sticks and damaging a religious flag.
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Attack on Police: When Kamathipura Police attempted to intervene, the mob hurled stones at the officers. Four police personnel and one civilian were injured.
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Arson: A police vehicle and a civilian motorcycle were set ablaze, and the windshield of a truck was smashed, causing a massive traffic gridlock along the Musi River.
Police Action and Detention
To bring the situation under control, senior officials including Additional Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Tafseer Iqbal and DCPs from Charminar and Golconda rushed to the spot. Police eventually resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the violent mob.
As of Thursday, January 15, the police have:
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Registered two FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
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Detained 10 individuals in connection with the violence and vandalism.
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Deployed heavy police pickets to ensure the “Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb” of the city is maintained.
Political Reactions
The incident has triggered a political firestorm in Telangana:
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Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM): Visited the site and blamed “Sangh Parivar forces” for trying to disrupt peace under the cover of night. He questioned the police response despite Hyderabad’s extensive CCTV network.
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T. Raja Singh (BJP): Visited the area and alleged that Hindu sentiments are being repeatedly hurt under the Congress government. He accused the police of being biased and only detaining one side.
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Ramachander Rao (BJP): Criticized the ruling Congress party for remaining a “mute spectator” for vote-bank politics.
Current Situation
Additional CP Tafseer Iqbal has assured the public that the situation is now under control and peaceful. Police have appealed to citizens not to believe or circulate “malicious propaganda” or unverified videos on social media that could incite further communal disharmony.
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