Clash erupts between BJP & Cong workers in Hyderabad; Telangana BJP chief Ramchander Rao detained

High drama unfolded on Exhibition Grounds Road in Hyderabad, where both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana office and the Congress Party’s Gandhi Bhavan are located, as workers of both parties clashed on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) amid protests linked to recent political developments in New Delhi.

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao and several party workers were taken into preventive custody by the police while proceeding towards Gandhi Bhavan to stage a protest against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s ‘dharna’ near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday.

A clash between workers of Congress and BJP parties in Hyderabad escalated tensions in the area, on Wednesday (July 22, 2026)
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SIDDHANT THAKUR

Confrontation between supporters of two parties

Mr. Ramchander Rao and the detained BJP workers were later shifted to the Goshamahal Police Station. Tension escalated shortly thereafter when a group alleged to be Congress activists attempted to enter the BJP State office premises. BJP workers resisted the move, triggering a confrontation between supporters of the two parties.

Police detain Telangana BJP President N. Ramchander Rao as BJP workers stage a protest march from BJP State office to Gandhi Bhavan in Nampally, Hyderabad on Wednesday (July 22, 2026)
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SIDDHANT THAKUR

The situation soon turned violent, with reports of stone-pelting from both sides. A television channel cameraman and a few party workers sustained injuries and were shifted to a nearby private hospital for treatment. Police personnel intervened promptly and brought the situation under control.

Speaking to the media later, Mr. Ramchander Rao accused the Congress of setting a “dangerous precedent” by staging a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence. He alleged that the party was attempting to create “unrest and instability” similar to situations witnessed in some neighbouring countries.

Police detain BJP workers who  staged a protest march from BJP State office to Gandhi Bhavan in Nampally, Hyderabad, on Wednesday (July 22, 2026)
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

Genuine students absent from agitation: Telangana BJP chief

“The Congress’ actions are deeply condemnable. Every patriotic Indian is pained by attempts to create an atmosphere of anarchy in the country,” he said. He further alleged that the ongoing protests under the “Cockroach Party” banner had been “hijacked by anti-national elements”. Claiming that genuine students were absent from the agitation, he alleged the participation of “anti-social and ultra-left groups”.

Launching a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader alleged that the Congress was indulging in “divisive politics” and attempting to “incite unrest” among the youth. However, he asserted that the country’s youth remained committed to national interests and would not fall prey to such efforts.

The BJP would continue to oppose what he described as the Congress party’s “Tukde-Tukde politics” and would not be deterred by arrests or police action.

Meanwhile, several BJP leaders, including Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Legislature Party leader A. Maheshwar Reddy, MPs D.K. Aruna and Eatala Rajender, condemned the detention of Mr. Ramchander Rao and the developments in Delhi. They maintained that the NDA government was prepared for a discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament and urged the Congress to cooperate in ensuring the smooth functioning of the ongoing parliamentary session.