Erragadda Residents Protest Graveyard Plan

Hyderabad: Hundreds of residents of gated communities in Erragadda staged a protest on Saturday against the state government’s proposal to allocate land for a Muslim cemetery in the area.

Residents of Kalpataru, Brigade Citadel, Vasavi Brundavanam and Janapriya said they were not against establishing a cemetery but expressed concern about the cemetery being located in the middle of a densely populated residential area.

The issue arose during the recently held election in Jubilee Hills when land was allotted through the Wakf Board. After initial protests, residents appealed to the Supreme Court, which ordered the status quo. However, residents of the area claimed that although the issue was a judicial decision, the authorities entered the site through another gate and started ground preparations on December 31, 2025.

“We immediately gathered and stopped the leveling work. The proposed cemetery will disturb approximately 5,000 flats and residents. We strongly oppose it and want the government to cancel this decision,” said Ch. Hanumanthu Naidu from Brigade Fort.

Residents complained that the government acted without consulting them, despite significant housing investment. “We are not against any community but we do not want a cemetery in the middle of a residential area,” said Madhusudan, another resident.

Venkateshwarulu, former president of the Brigade Fort association, called the proposal “illegal and unfair” and said the protests would continue until the government withdraws its decision.

Syed, another resident, added: “We are not against the cemetery, but we want it to be placed in a suitable place. The matter is already in court but people are still entering the land from the back side and creating disturbance.”