• The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a statewide protest at all district collector offices across Telangana State on June 5.
• The exact timing of the protest remains undisclosed, as of writing.
• The protest will be held to oppose the alleged illegal transportation and sale of cattle in the state ahead of Eid al-Adha. Additionally, the VHP’s cow protection wing accused the Telangana government of failing to enforce cow protection laws.

1. Participation in the protest is expected to vary according to the location. While participation in urban centers like Hyderabad will likely range from the high dozens-to-low hundreds, it will likely remain limited to mid dozens in smaller districts, considering the turnout recorded in a similar protest held on June 2 in Hyderabad. Participation will likely be bolstered if other like-minded right-wing groups join the protest. Security will likely be strengthened across Telangana, including Hyderabad, particularly in the vicinity of the district collector offices, due to the sensitive nature of the issue. Increased police deployment and placement of barricades to monitor the crowds are expected.
2. The latent risk of scuffles between the police and protesters persists should the latter engage in disruptive behavior such as breaching security protocols. In such cases, the police are likely to employ forcible dispersal measures, including temporary detention. There is also an underlying risk of localized and sporadic communal tensions during the demonstrations. Localized disruptions to vehicular traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations during the protest hours on June 5.

Those operating or residing in Telangana, including Hyderabad, on June 5 are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of district collector offices due to the slated statewide protest and associated risk of unrest, while allotting for travel disruptions.