The new trend of politicians increasingly using festivals to bolster their image and the image of the parties they represent, has created a sense of unease among the various communities in the state.
The recent communal flare-up in Sangareddy of Medak district is an example of the thin line separating politics and religions getting thinner.
The unprecedented backing given by sitting Congress MLA T. Jayaprakash Reddy to the Ramnavami celebrations reflects the increasing intrusion of politicos into purely religious affairs.
The 4-km road from the National Highway to the town is dotted by scores of flexiboards of Lord Ram and photos of Mr Jayaprakash Reddy, put up by the followers of the Congress MLA.
Perhaps for the first time, devotees even took out ratha yatras in the town and nearby places, indicating the rise of “Ram politics.”
“Ramnavami was quite unusual here this time. So many flexiboards were never seen earlier in the town. It is rumoured that the MLA, who had crossed from the BJP to the Congress, may return to the BJP in 2014 elections,” a local leader said.
In the past three years, celebrating festivals like Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, Ramnavami and Hanuman Jayanti by various communities in a big way has become increasingly competitive.
“It began in 2010 when the MIM, in a bid to attract the youth, extend its influence and further strengthen its base, backed the Milad-un-Nabi celebrations in a big way in the old city of Hyderabad. Though this was disapproved by a section of religious scholars, the MIM's backing did not stop,” a senior police official said.
Not to be outdone, the Hindu Vahini, Bajrang Dal and others celebrated Ramnavami and Hanuman Jayanti, which sparked trouble sometime back, in a big way.
“Our information is that local leaders are using the festivals to prop up their image. They are doling out money to the youth to keep them in good humour. Though the trend has not created much tension so far, it certainly is causing uneasiness,” the police official added.
The city already comes to a standstill one day every year thanks to the Ganesh immersion, backed by the BJP and other right-wing groups. Other major festivals that have seen a rise in public celebrations include Dasara, where a number of devotees are now installing Durga idols and immersing them later.
Congress fomenting trouble, says Naidu
Blaming the Congress for the rise in communal riots in the state, Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded stringent action against all those involved in the violence in Sangareddy of Medak strict.
Mr Naidu, who toured the riot-hit areas in Sangareddy on Monday, announced Rs 5,000 each as compensation to the riot victims on behalf of the party. Accusing some persons of fomenting trouble for political gains, Mr Naidu said it pained him to see shops burnt and belongings of innocent people turned into ashes.
“It is now the responsibility of the government to fully compensate the loss and rehabilitate the people,” he said. Asking the Government to deal with the communal elements with an iron hand, Mr Naidu said that during the TD rule, curfew and Section 144 were passé. “Thanks to Congress, we are back to old days,” he remarked.
“The Government has failed miserably to prevent communal riots. The police should have acted immediately and bought the situation under control. Whenever the Congress comes to power, communal riots too become common,” the TD chief alleged.