Beef festival: 25 Osmania University students taken into preventive custody

Hyderabad: More than 25 students were arrested by the police in Osmania University on Monday after students belonging to various organizations tried to conduct a 2-km run in the campus in support of the beef festival.  The students were earlier planning to conduct a 5-km run outside the campus but were not given permission. They then decided to conduct it inside the university, from the Arts College to NCC gate and back.

One of the students who was arrested said, “A large group of police personnel arrived in the campus and arrested us as soon as the run began. We were taken to Amberpet police station and were kept there till evening. The university has been turned into a free zone for the police to enter at will and detain students.”

However, the arrests or the court order denying permission for the beef festival are not stopping the organisers from going ahead with their plans. One of the organizers, Mr Musavvir Mohammad, said, “We can eat whatever we want, which is our basic right, including beef. No one can stop us from exercising our right. We will go ahead as planned. We also got many posters and pamphlets printed to inform people about the festival and will release it on Tuesday.”

Beef fest: Court forstatus quo

The city civil court has ordered status quo regarding the beef and pork festivals scheduled for December 10 here on Monday and has issued orders not to allow any such event in the OU  till December 21. The court was hearing a petition filed by city-based advocate Janardhan Goud.

Mr Goud filed an injunction before the city civil court alleging that the beef and pork festivals planned by students were hurting the sentiments of religious groups and as a result law and order problems are likely to arise.

“These festivals are conducted in a provocative manner and hurts the sentiments of both Hindus and Muslims. Earlier also during similar festivals, many people were injured and attempt to murder cases were registered,” said the petitioner.

Raja Singh seeks nod for save cow awareness Sabha

While tension is brewing in OU over the scheduled beef festival, pork festival and gau puja, Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh on Monday approached the city police seeking permission for a Gau Raksha Awareness Sabha in Dharna Chowk at Indira Park on December 10.  The OU events are scheduled in campus on the same day.  In a letter to police commissioner Mahender Reddy, the MLA stated that he would like to conduct the event with a few holy men to create awareness in society about the holiness of the cow.

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