Published Jun 29, 2026 | 3:25 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 29, 2026 | 3:33 PM
A screengrab from the viral video of assault.
Synopsis: The Telangana police arrested the local unit president of the BJP in Armoor in the Nizamabad district in connection with the assault on Bharath Chandra High School principal Amer Khan. He was assaulted after BJP leaders objected to Urdu being offered as a second language at the school.
The Telangana police, on Monday, 29 June, arrested the local unit president of the BJP in Armoor in the Nizamabad district in connection with the assault on Bharath Chandra High School principal Amer Khan, a day after a video of the attack spread widely on social media and drew sharp public criticism.
Mandula Balu was arrested in connection with Crime No. 356 of 2026, registered based on a complaint filed by school correspondent A Mallaiah.
The original incident, which took place on 27 June, saw Balu and other BJP leaders enter the school premises and physically assault Khan over the school’s brief introduction of Urdu as a second language.
Armoor Police Station Circle Inspector (CI) P Satya Narayana confirmed to South First that they have taken Balu into custody.
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Amer Khan, a resident of Ziyarat Nagar, was assaulted after BJP leaders objected to Urdu being offered as a second language at the school. They alleged that their children had been exposed to Urdu songs and religious content.
A video that went viral online showed Balu slapping and verbally abusing Khan. Crucially, it also showed CI Satya Narayana and a sub-inspector present during the assault.
Some reports had earlier suggested that Khan also taught Urdu at the school. However, the school management said the subject was taught by a different Urdu teacher, Umme Hani, and only for two days.
The police had also registered a case against Khan. The SHO confirmed that a case under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against Khan, Mallaiah and Hani. Section 196 of the BNS penalises actions, speeches or writings that promote enmity between different groups based on religion, race, caste, language or place of birth.
(With inputs from Sreshta Ladegaam.)
