A new controversy has arisen in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, after a notice was issued to a Sub-Inspector (SI) for Ayyappa Diksha (wearing a rosary). On this matter, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (November 25, 2025) made a scathing attack on the Hyderabad Police, accusing it of bias and demanded immediate withdrawal of the order.
Actually, this is the case of Sub-Inspector C. Anjayya posted at Falaknuma Police Station, who wore a garland for the initiation of Ayyappa Swamy while on duty. He was issued a notice by his senior officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Falaknuma Division. In this notice, citing Rule 11 of ‘Telangana Sub-ordinate Service Police Conduct Rules, 1984’, it was said that the executive staff on duty are not allowed to participate in religious activities or wear any dress or symbol which is in conflict with the police uniform.
BJP accused police administration of discrimination
Giving a sharp reaction to this order, BJP issued a statement saying that Hyderabad Police has discriminated against Ayyappa devotees. The party spokesperson raised the question, ‘Is the Telangana Police Department now working under the orders of AIMIM?’ The BJP alleged that people of a particular community are given special relaxation (of half a day) to keep the fast, but Ayyappa devotees are being restricted.
Hyderabad City Police has asked its officers who wish to undertake the sacred Ayyappa Deeksha to do so by taking leave, and not while on duty.
Is the Telangana Police Department now functioning under the diktats of AIMIM?
The same department grants special half-day concessions… pic.twitter.com/eD9Xu0Q6O7
— BJP Telangana (@BJP4Telangana) November 25, 2025
BJP termed this order as an ‘arbitrary decree’ and said that this is clear favoritism and it is intolerable. The party has demanded immediate withdrawal of this biased instruction from the Hyderabad City Police and has warned that if this is not done then there will be a fierce agitation.
Police administration gave clarification after BJP’s allegation
At the same time, the police administration says that this order is not against any particular religion. This rule applies equally to all employees, so that the sanctity of the uniform and discipline is maintained. According to the police, executive staff have been prevented from following any religious customs while on duty, while administrative staff are allowed to do so with the permission of the DG or a senior officer.
This matter has now taken the form of a new political dispute between religious faith and administrative rules, the further results of which are awaited.
Also read: ‘Completely wrong to call me anti-Hindu’, says former CJI BR Gavai on lawyer throwing shoes in Supreme Court