Charges Filed Against Motivational Speaker for Inciting Religious Hatred in Hyderabad

Hyderabad police have filed charges against renowned Mumbai-based motivational speaker Munawar Zama and two associates for allegedly inciting religious hatred following vandalism at the Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad. The other accused, Abdul Rasheed Basheer Ahmed and Rehman, the manager and proprietor of Metropolis Hotel, are alleged to have assisted Zama in organizing a workshop that fostered animosity towards Hindus.Zama, founder of the English House Academy, conducted a month-long personality development workshop at the hotel, which attracted 151 participants from across India. Authorities claim that under the pretense of teaching skills such as communication and confidence building, Zama and his associates created an environment that encouraged hostility between religious communities.The situation escalated after Salman Salim Thakur, an attendee, vandalized the idol of Goddess Durga at the temple on October 14, 2024. Thakur, reportedly radicalized by extremist online content, was arrested two days later after being caught in the act by locals. He is currently receiving treatment in a city hospital for injuries sustained during the incident.According to police, Zama is accused of directly provoking Thakur to commit the vandalism. The workshop, which took place without official permission, reserved all 49 rooms at the Metropolis Hotel for attendees.Sub-inspector L. Suresh of the Gopalapuram police station stated that Zama incited Thakur to attack the temple. Investigators are now reviewing workshop recordings, materials distributed to participants, and the backgrounds of those involved.Charges against Zama, Basheer, and Rehman include various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as Sections 299 (deliberate insult or outrage of religious feelings), 192 (malicious provocation with intent to incite riots), and 196 (promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds).