Bandi Sanjay Kumar Backs Hyderabad Auto Driver After Religious Slogans Damaged

Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar has extended his full support to an autorickshaw driver, Chanchari Bharat, who alleged that religious slogans on his vehicle were torn by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) activists near Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad. The driver met with the Union Minister on Wednesday in Karimnagar to share his grievance regarding the incident, which occurred on July 13.

According to Bharat, who is originally from Wanaparthy district but operates his autorickshaw in Hyderabad, the incident took place while he was actively ferrying passengers on the route from Mehdipatnam to Jeedimetla. He alleged that his vehicle was intercepted near pillar number 131, where the activists stopped him and tore off the religious slogans displayed on his vehicle.

The specific slogans pasted on the autorickshaw read, "Changing your religion is like your father, Anyone born on this earth is a Hindu...Jai Sriram".

In addition to the harassment by the activists, Bharat alleged that the Attapur police warned him after the incident took place, rather than providing protection or taking action against those who targeted his vehicle.

Reacting strongly to the incident, Bandi Sanjay Kumar condemned the attack and stated that activists had absolutely no right to damage a citizen's vehicle over expressions of faith. The minister declared that no one has the authority to dictate what an individual should or should not write on their personal, private vehicle.

Assuring the driver that he was not standing alone, the Union Minister promised that support would be extended to those facing such intimidation in the city. To help Bharat recover from the incident, Sanjay Kumar also assured him of assistance to secure a new vehicle.

Furthermore, the Union Minister demanded swift action from the authorities. He called for action to be taken against the MIM activists who were involved in damaging the vehicle, as well as against the Attapur police officer who is alleged to have issued the warning to the driver.