In Hyderabad, a man identified as Zakir has been arrested twice for removing the Israeli flag hoisted at the Telangana Secretariat in preparation for the upcoming Miss World 2025 pageant. The first incident occurred on May 12, when Zakir pulled down the flag in an act of protest, reportedly due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Although the authorities quickly restored the flag and filed a case, the same individual repeated the act on May 16, this time live-streaming it on Instagram, further escalating tensions.
The incident has sparked widespread controversy on social media, with many tagging senior police officials, including Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, demanding strict action. According to sources, all national flags were displayed at key locations like Tank Bund to welcome international delegates and participants. Some Instagram accounts had earlier posted content inciting viewers to remove the Israeli flag, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. These online activities are now part of the ongoing investigation.
Following the repeated desecration, the Saifabad Police registered two separate cases against Zakir under Crime Numbers 138/2025 and 141/2025. The Hyderabad City Police confirmed his arrest and assured that further inquiries are in progress. Authorities are also monitoring online platforms to track those promoting such actions. With Hyderabad set to host a global event, the incident has raised concerns over law and order, prompting increased vigilance across the city.
