Three arrested for throwing beef during Ganesh Chaturthi event in Hyderabad
Synopsis
Three persons, including two women, were arrested in Hyderabad after allegedly throwing beef onto an ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi food distribution programme at a housing society in Madannapet. The incident sparked a protest by BJP and Hindu organisations at Chanchalguda, prompting police to invoke stringent FIR sections and deploy Rapid Action Force personnel — all during a city already on high security alert for the festival's grand immersion procession on 25 September.
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad Police arrested three persons — Mohammad Imran Qureshi , Arshiya Begum , and Sameena — on 20 September 2026 for allegedly throwing beef during a Ganesh Chaturthi event.
The incident occurred at 3 pm at the 2BHK Police Housing Society near Chanchalguda X Roads in the Madannapet area.
An FIR has been registered; DCP Kiran Khare confirmed stringent sections will be invoked against the accused.
BJP and Hindu organisations staged a protest at Chanchalguda Cross Roads , demanding strict action.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) and additional police have been deployed at communally sensitive locations across Hyderabad.
The Ganesh Chaturthi immersion procession is scheduled for 25 September at Hussain Sagar Lake , with 20,000 police on duty.
Hyderabad Police on Sunday, 20 September 2026 arrested three persons — including two women — for allegedly throwing 'non-veg material like beef' onto a Ganesh Chaturthi food distribution programme underway in the Madannapet area, triggering communal tension and a protest by political groups. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered based on a complaint by the organisers of the Ganesh pandal.
What Happened
The incident took place at approximately 3 pm at the 2BHK Police Housing Society near Chanchalguda X Roads. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Charminar Zone) Kiran Khare, a few residents of the housing society allegedly threw the material downward while a Ganesh Nimajjanam and an Annadanam (food distribution) programme was in progress below.
Police reached the spot promptly after receiving information. The three persons taken into custody have been identified as Mohammad Imran Qureshi, Arshiya Begum, and Sameena.
Police Response and FIR
DCP Kiran Khare confirmed that an FIR is being registered and that 'stringent sections' will be invoked against the accused. He appealed to residents not to believe rumours circulating on social media, warning that strict action would be taken against anyone spreading misinformation. The situation in the area has since been brought under control, with officials describing it as 'peaceful'.
As a precautionary measure, additional police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed at communally sensitive locations across the city. Flag marches have also been conducted in sensitive areas as part of routine law-and-order measures.
Political Protests and Community Reaction
Following the incident, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several Hindu organisations staged a protest at Chanchalguda Cross Roads, demanding stringent action against those they say have hurt religious sentiments. A separate protest was also held by residents in the area before the situation was restored to calm.
Ganesh Chaturthi Security Arrangements
Ganesh Chaturthi began in Hyderabad on 14 September and is scheduled to conclude on 25 September with a large-scale immersion procession at Hussain Sagar Lake. Thousands of idols from across the city and surrounding areas are expected to be immersed during the culminating event. Authorities have deployed approximately 20,000 police personnel across Hyderabad for the procession, reflecting the scale of security arrangements in place.
With the festival's final days approaching, authorities are monitoring sensitive areas closely to prevent any escalation.
Point of View
With Hyderabad's largest immersion procession just days away. Communal provocations during major religious events follow a recurring national pattern, and the speed of BJP's street protest underscores how quickly such incidents acquire political weight. The DCP's appeal to ignore social media rumours signals that authorities are as concerned about misinformation amplifying the incident as they are about the act itself. Whether the FIR leads to conviction under stringent provisions or quietly tapers off will be the real test of police follow-through.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Ganesh Chaturthi event in Hyderabad's Madannapet area?
Three residents of a housing society near Chanchalguda X Roads allegedly threw non-vegetarian material, described as beef, onto an ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi food distribution programme (Annadanam) below on 20 September 2026. The act triggered communal tension and a protest by political groups in the area.
Who has been arrested and what charges are being filed?
The three persons arrested are Mohammad Imran Qureshi, Arshiya Begum, and Sameena, including two women. An FIR is being registered based on the Ganesh organisers' complaint, and DCP Kiran Khare said stringent legal sections will be invoked against them.
Is the situation in the area under control?
Yes, authorities have confirmed the area is peaceful. Additional police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed at communally sensitive spots, and police have conducted flag marches as a precautionary measure. The DCP has warned against spreading rumours on social media.
How does this affect the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Hyderabad?
The festival, which began on 14 September, is set to conclude with a major immersion procession at Hussain Sagar Lake on 25 September. Around 20,000 police personnel are already being deployed for the event. The incident has prompted authorities to heighten vigilance at communally sensitive locations ahead of the procession.
Which political groups protested following the incident?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several Hindu organisations held a protest at Chanchalguda Cross Roads after the incident, demanding strict action against those accused of hurting religious sentiments.
