BJP candidate Madhavi Latha requests to see faces of Muslim women at Telangana poll booth; case registered

I have only requested them – can I please see and verify with the ID cards,’ she said.

BJP’s Hyderabad Lok Sabha candidate Madhavi Latha sparked controversy on Monday by asking female Muslim voters at a Telangana polling booth to uncover their faces, matching them with their voter identities.

#WATCH | On being asked about video where she is seen checking IDs of voters, Madhavi Latha says, "I am a candidate. As per law candidate has the right to check the ID cards without the facemasks. I am not a man, I am a woman and with a lot of humbleness, I have only requested… https://t.co/5mxmhiBWL7 pic.twitter.com/Ni18lzxV2J

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Justifying her actions, Madhavi Latha stated, “I am a candidate. As per the law, a candidate has the right to check ID cards without face masks. I am not a man, I am a woman, and with humility, I only requested them – can I please see and verify with the ID cards. If somebody wants to make a big issue out of it, that means they are scared…”. A case has been registered against her under Sections 171C, 186, 505(1)(c) of IPC, and Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act.

A case is registered in Malakpet Police Station against Smt Madhavi Latha, Contesting candidate, BJP under sections 171C, 186, 505(1)(c) of IPC and Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act

— Collector Hyderabad (@Collector_HYD) May 13, 2024

Latha previously stirred controversy when a video surfaced showing her shooting an arrow at a mosque, prompting a rebuke from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

#WATCH | Telangana: BJP candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, Madhavi Latha reaches Mangalhat Police Station after the Police reportedly took BJP workers into their custody. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/73BXQqGehz

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024