The decision of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to nominate legislator T. Raja Singh as their candidate for the Goshamahal Assembly constituency, despite his history of making inflammatory and communal statements, has sprung many surprises and generated much criticism. Later, the BJP reversed the suspension of his candidacy, which has raised alarm among civil society members.
These individuals concerned are calling for a more inclusive and secular candidate to represent the constituency, as they fear the potential impact of Raja Singh’s divisive remarks on communal harmony in the city. Raja Singh, who is a Hindu, faced suspension due to his inflammatory comments about Munawar Faruqui. Despite the expectations that the BJP would not reselect Raja Singh for the Goshamahal constituency, they ultimately did so.
Civil society groups emphasize the importance of protecting Hyderabad’s secular identity and denounce hate speech. They are deeply troubled by Raja Singh’s divisive rhetoric and its potential repercussions on social cohesion within the city. Civil society members are urging the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to put forward a “strong candidate” for the Goshamahal constituency. They argue that this would not only counter the controversial candidacy of Raja Singh but also showcase the BRS’s commitment to secular values and its strong opposition to hate speech.
Khalida Parveen, the founder of the Amoomat Society and a vocal critic of communal forces, appeals to Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, as well as ministers K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao. She calls on them to support a candidate who can effectively challenge Raja Singh’s candidacy, stressing the importance of selecting someone who can promote communal harmony.