The situation surrounding the refusal of work to Muslim security guards and safety personnel during the Dandiya and Navratri festivals in Telangana is escalating. Representatives from agencies providing security guards and a group of security staff have voiced their concern regarding this issue.
These employees demanded equal employment opportunities for everyone, regardless of religion. Speaking on behalf of this group, Mohammad Firoz noted that this problem affects the employment of hundreds of security workers. He emphasized that this issue must not turn into a communal dispute under any circumstances.
Firoz stated: 'We are fighting not for religion, but for jobs. Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs must be given equal chances. No one should be denied employment because of their name or religious affiliation.'
This group, representing security staff from both Hindu and Muslim communities, previously accused some Dandiya event organizers of refusing work to Muslim security guards at a press conference earlier this month. Following this, Firoz met with Asduddin Owaisi, president of AIMIM and a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, to draw attention to the issue.
Security representatives completely rejected all accusations linking Muslim security staff to 'love jihad.' They clarified that their duty at the festival venues is solely to ensure security, crowd control, and prevent any unrest.
Firoz added: 'Our task is to protect the event and ensure it proceeds peacefully. Organizers hire us to provide security services, not to promote any religious or political agenda. If anyone is caught in illegal activities, action should be taken based on evidence, not by targeting an entire community. We also employ many non-Muslim guards who have cooperated with us for the past five years.'
Political rhetoric has also intensified in this dispute. Asduddin Owaisi, head of AIMIM, criticized the boycott by Muslim security guards and called for decisive action from the police. He warned that if the residents of Telangana do not unite against this, the progress and development of the state will suffer.
On the other hand, MP T. Raja Singh leveled accusations linking Muslim security guards to 'love jihad' and announced his intention to protest Dandiya events that hire non-Hindu guards.