Fact Check: Shri Bhagya Lakshmi Mandir near Charminar was not attacked during Milad procession

A video circulating on social media shows chaotic scenes, with police preventing the public from crossing barricades. The footage is accompanied by claims that Muslims participating in the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession turned violent and stormed the Bhagyalakshmi Matha Mandir near Hyderabad's Charminar, allegedly breaking through the barricades.

An X user shared the video and wrote, “Participants of the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi rally turned violent and barged near to the Bhagyalakshmi Matha Mandir in Charminar breaking through the barricades. All this is unfolding under the watchful protection of the Congress govt in Telangana. Sanatan brothers are at the location, safeguarding the temple!” (Archive)

Another X user targeting the Telangana Congress government shared the video and wrote, “It’s clear the Congress government will fail to protect our #BhagyalakshmiTemple. Hindus must now march in a powerful and peaceful protest to defend our heritage.” (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter has found the claim to be false. The video actually shows police dispersing the crowd to control a fire that had broken out from a DJ's generator set during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession on September 19.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Shashikala, one of the trustees of the Shri Bhagya Laxmi Mandir, clarified that neither the temple premises were breached by the procession nor did the fire spread to the temple. She explained, “The DJ's generator caught fire due to sparks from fireworks being set off by people in the procession.”

She also shared a video of the morning prayers at the temple on September 20, confirming that the temple is safe.

Commissioner of Police C.V. Anand, speaking to NewsMeter, stated, “There was no untoward incident, the rally went on successfully. Police had to disperse the crowd to ensure no one was hurt in the fire mishap and primarily to contain the fire which broke out at the DJ console.”

In an X post, Commissioner C.V. Anand reflected on the peaceful conclusion of festivals, stating, "By the time we wound up the Milad bandobust, it was early morning, after escorting and patrolling the streets throughout the night to prevent any clashes during the return journeys. Both festivals, with large processions, ended peacefully, showcasing the composite culture of Hyderabad and the communal harmony, even in accommodating each other's use of DJs."

He also expressed gratitude, saying, "I sincerely thank the people of Hyderabad for their cooperation with the police and other departments over the last 15 days in maintaining peace. The entire city police force is exhausted and in need of some rest."

Asif Yar Khan, a Hyderabad-based journalist who visited the spot that night, also confirmed that the temple was not attacked. He explained, “The video shows police preventing people from crossing the barricades to contain the fire.

Siasat Daily also published a video report of the incident on September 19, showing similar visuals. According to the report, during the Milad procession, a fire broke out in the DJ and sound system, causing chaos. In response, police set up barricades to stop the procession from reaching Charminar. Some people attempted to cross the barricades, and they were dispersed by the police.

Hence, we conclude that the claim of the Milad procession barging into Shri Bhagya Laxmi Mandir or fire spreading into it is false.