The managing committee secretary of Janapriya Lake Front Society in Kapra, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, has issued an unconditional apology for calling a teenage Muslim boy a “Pakistani” during a heated argument.
“I apologise to everyone who was hurt by my remarks. I also apologise to the boy. The words were not intentional,” the secretary said.
He added that he holds the Muslim community in high regard, noting that most of his tenants are Muslims and he had no intention of insulting them.
The incident occurred on June 19 when a dispute arose over an unregistered tenant. A video of the altercation went viral, showing the secretary repeatedly questioning the teenager’s identity. “I am just asking if you are a Pakistani; why are you staying here?” he is heard saying.
The teenager responded angrily, asserting his Indian identity and highlighting his family’s military service. “Don’t call me Pakistani; I am an Indian,” he shouted, adding that his grandfather had served as a Subedar in the Indian Army.
In another video, the boy alleged that the secretary had accused them of being in the country “to plant bombs,” claiming police present at the scene failed to intervene effectively.
Hyderabad has long been celebrated for its communal harmony and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
However, drew sharp condemnation from political parties including Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), all of whom demanded strict action against the secretary.
The secretary’s apology comes amid growing public outrage, aiming to defuse tensions and reaffirm the city’s tradition of brotherhood.