Controversial video: Raja Singh arrested

HYDERABAD: Raja Singh, BJP's controversial MLA from Goshamahal, was on Tuesday morning arrested by the Hyderabad police after his alleged objectionable remarks sparked protests from AIMIM and caused tension since Monday night.

It was not immediately known if the mercurial BJP legislator was taken into preventive custody in view of a perceived threat to his life or was arrested based on a wave of complaints lodged against him since Monday night.

A video posted by Raja Singh on a social media platform, where he purportedly made hurtful remarks, has kicked up a huge storm in Old City of Hyderabad. There have been numerous protests, spearheaded by the activists of the All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) demanding the BJP MLA's arrest. An FIR was also registered against him based on the complaints lodged by the activists.

Raja Singh, however, in a fresh video released on Tuesday morning, defended his action saying that he had made his comments without taking any names. He questioned how the show of Munawar Farooqi, who, he alleged, had made derogatory comments against Lord Sri Ram and Goddess Sitha, was allowed to go on in the city. Despite his requests, the show was permitted to be held in the city, which, he said, only showed that there was value for those who insult the gods of one community but there was no value for those who question these acts.

He also vowed to release another video on this.