On August 28, 2026, Akula Srivani, a Bharatiya Janata Party corporator from Saroornagar, entered the principal's office of Sagarika Integrated High School in Sri Venkateshwara Colony, Hyderabad, demanding an explanation for a Muslim teacher's instruction that Hindu students remove rakhis tied around their wrists.
Srivani, accompanied by several supporters, questioned both the school principal and the teacher about the rationale behind the request. The teacher replied that the rakhis had become dirty and therefore needed to be taken off. Srivani then expanded her challenge, alleging that the same teacher had also asked children to remove bindis, tikkas, bangles and other symbols associated with Sanatana Dharma, and had made remarks critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ayodhya Ram Temple and India's GDP growth.
During the heated exchange, Srivani raised a point about the teacher's own attire, asking, “You wear your hijab throughout the year. Has anyone opposed or questioned you?” She further inquired whether the school had any written policy prohibiting students from wearing religious ornaments, and why such directives were being issued without clear guidelines.
Later that day, Hyderabad police filed a suo motu case against Srivani under Sections 196 and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, accusing her of provoking communal tension and criminal intimidation. Station House Officer N. Srishylam confirmed that evidence collection is ongoing and that further action will depend on the findings.
Srivani used her social media platforms to urge parents to monitor school curricula, warning that some teachers might be influencing children against Hindu traditions and the current government. Earlier, she had sparked controversy by claiming Apple's Siri voice assistant recognises “Assalaamualaikum” but not Hindu greetings such as “Ram Ram” or “Jai Sri Ram,” a statement that attracted ridicule online.
This incident adds to a series of legal complaints previously lodged against Srivani for remarks perceived as targeting the Muslim community.
Image: siasat.com
đź“° Source: Siasat Gulf