Hyderabad police have arrested a local Muslim youth, Mohammad Zakir, after he removed an Israeli flag that had been hoisted in the city as part of promotional decorations for the upcoming Miss World 2025 pageant. The flag, installed by the Telangana government along with other national banners outside event venues, was taken down by Zakir on Friday in what he called an act of solidarity with the people of Palestine, reported the Dawat News.
The Saifabad police station has registered two cases—Crime Nos. 138/2025 and 141/2025—against Zakir. Hyderabad City Police confirmed the arrest on Saturday, describing the removal of the flag as “a disrespectful act.” An investigation is under way, authorities said.
Miss World 2025, the 72nd edition of the global beauty contest, is scheduled for 31 May 2025 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad. In recent days, social-media users protesting Israel’s military operations in Gaza have demanded that Israeli symbols be taken down from the city’s streets.
