New Delhi: The Bonalu festival, a centuries-old tradition in Telangana dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, witnessed a significant police operation focused on women’s safety. Hyderabad’s SHE Teams, known for their work in combating harassment, apprehended 478 individuals during the festival celebrations for offences against women. The arrests took place across key temple sites, including Alkapur, Balkampet Yellamma Temple, and Jeneti Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad. The sheer number of arrests – 386 adults and 92 minors – underscores a concerning level of harassment. An alarming case involved an elderly man apprehended for harassing a woman devotee.
To proactively address potential issues, the SHE Teams deployed 14 teams across Hyderabad, significantly increasing their presence during the Bonalu and Muharram festivities. This proactive strategy appears to have contributed to the high number of arrests. However, the outcomes varied. While 288 offenders received warnings, four were charged with petty offences, resulting in one conviction and a total fine of Rs 1,050. Five other cases resulted in convictions, including one with imprisonment and a fine, and four others with fines of Rs 50 each. A total of eight FIRs were registered across various police stations.
The significant police response sends a clear message about the city’s commitment to women’s safety during religious events. The arrests, while demonstrating the scale of the problem, also highlight the need for continuous vigilance and preventative measures to address the underlying causes of such behaviour. The varied outcomes of the cases, from warnings to imprisonment, reflect a range of offences and judicial responses. The success of the operation is significant in ensuring the safety of women during the Bonalu festival.
