A confrontation between two individuals at the Dawat-e-Ramzan exhibition held at King’s Palace became dangerously intense when shots were reportedly fired. The event, organized by Anam Mirza, sister of tennis star Sania Mirza, is a well-known attraction in Hyderabad during the Ramadan season.

The altercation occurred on Saturday, March 29, when a man allegedly discharged two rounds during a dispute between the owners of a perfume shop and a toy shop at the expo. Authorities were alerted and quickly apprehended the suspect, confiscating the weapon he used for the shooting.

According to the Inspector from Gudimalkapur police station, the skirmish stemmed from a minor disagreement between the two shop owners, which was in the process of being resolved. However, during this dispute, the accused, identified as Hassebuddin, fired two shots into the air using his licensed pistol. The police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the gunfire and have filed a case under the Arms Act.

Interestingly, Hassebuddin, also known as Hyder, is not connected to either shop owner involved in the dispute. He is a former local leader (Sarpanch) residing in the AC Guards Paramount Colony and holds a valid gun license issued in Nampally.

Hyderabad is home to various exhibitions and food festivals during Ramadan, with Anam Mirza’s Dawat-e-Ramzan being one of the most popular. The expo features over 400 retail stalls and 60 food brands, making it one of the largest events celebrating the month.

Anam Mirza, who has been a fashion curator since 2012 and operates her own YouTube channel, has made a significant impact in the community through her work. The Dawat-e-Ramzan expo provides employment to more than 3,000 individuals during Ramadan and attracts over 250,000 visitors within just 11 days of its operation.

The release of the film L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring Mohanlal, has ignited significant controversy due to its portrayal of the alleged 2002 Gujarat riots. Former Union minister and current Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has publicly revised his initial enthusiasm for the film, now expressing his disappointment in the type of storytelling involved.

Initially, Chandrasekhar had taken to social media to express excitement about the film, stating he was looking forward to enjoying it. However, as backlash grew—particularly from Hindutva organizations branding the film as ‘anti-Hindu’—the BJP’s Kerala unit chose to distance itself from the unfolding drama, asserting that it would allow audiences to form their own opinions post-viewing.

In a prior statement, BJP state general secretary P Sudheer emphasized that the party would not be swayed by cinematic tales, and highlighted that activists from the Sangh Parivar are entitled to share their views.

Amidst escalating tensions surrounding the film, which reportedly received orders from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for 17 cuts, Chandrasekhar shifted his stance. He conveyed his sentiments through a post on X, reflecting on his earlier intention to watch the film. He acknowledged enjoying another Mohanlal film, Lucifer, and conveyed his discontent regarding the significant amendments made to Empuraan. He expressed concern that the film’s controversial topics might disturb viewers, noting, “any film that tries to build a narrative by distorting the truth is doomed to fail.”

As a result, he concluded that he would not watch this sequel and reiterated his disappointment with this style of filmmaking.

Conversely, the Congress party has defended L2: Empuraan, calling it a pan-Indian film and criticizing the campaign against its creators. Kerala State Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkoottathil condemned the backlash, pointing out parallels to those who previously championed freedom of expression for films perceived as promoting unfounded religious narratives, such as the Kashmir Files and Kerala Story.

The landscape surrounding L2: Empuraan remains charged, showcasing the intersection of cinema, politics, and societal narratives in contemporary India.

In anticipation of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival starting on Sunday, March 30, the Uttar Pradesh Government has announced a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and imposed a ban on the sale of meat within a 500-meter radius of religious sites.

Additionally, stringent measures will be enforced on Ram Navami, which falls on April 6, including a complete prohibition on animal slaughter and meat sales.

Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, has instructed district magistrates, police commissioners, and municipal commissioners to swiftly implement the closure of slaughterhouses and enforce the meat sale restrictions near places of worship, as stated by the Uttar Pradesh Government on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

The Yogi Adityanath Administration cited previous directives from 2014 and 2017, reiterating that illegal animal slaughter and meat sales near religious locations are strictly forbidden. To ensure compliance, the government has established district-level committees led by district magistrates, comprising officials from various departments, including police, the Pollution Control Board, Animal Husbandry, Transport, Labour, Health, and Food Safety Administration.

In line with the U.P. Municipal Corporation Act of 1959 and the Food Safety Acts of 2006 and 2011, the government has called for rigorous punitive measures against those who violate these regulations.

Director of Information Shishir emphasized, “There will be no meat or fish shops within 500 meters during Navratri. Shops outside this radius must adhere to their licensing terms. Open selling is prohibited, and all meat retailers will be closed on Ram Navami.”

The Chaitra Navratri festival, honoring Goddess Durga, will begin on Sunday, March 30, 2025.