Unruly crowds, unsafe streets: Why are Hyderabad’s upscale areas turning into hotbeds of public hostility?

There has been a spurt in grievances and complaints on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), indicating a hostile environment being created in parts of the city

Hyderabad: The city of Hyderabad has time and again received praise from its visitors, locals, and settlers who have made it their home for being warm and welcoming in nature. The easy-going nature of the people here has prompted many to choose the city over other metropolitan cities in the country.

However, there has been a spurt in grievances and complaints on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), indicating a hostile environment being created in parts of the city.

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Of late, people, including locals and settlers—mostly those living in the upscale areas of Hyderabad, like Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Gachibowli, Kondapur, the IT Corridor, and parts of Madhapur—have been complaining about boisterous crowds picking arguments and getting into fights with them over petty issues in public spaces.

Spats over parking, uncouth and unruly behavior towards women, name-calling, lewd gestures, dangerous driving that obstructs other vehicles, and performing hazardous stunts on busy roads have been some of the issues netizens have repeatedly complained about.

In most cases, it has been observed that the people sharing their ordeals have mentioned calling the police for help or informing them about these situations but not receiving any assistance.
It is rather surprising to see the police not taking any action to curb this menace, often caused by youths from other parts of the city who come to these areas for supposed recreational purposes.

In one such post, a Reddit user named Blackbeard10 shared his experience from a couple of months ago on DLF Road in Gachibowli, where a group of 3-4 people picked a fight with him after hitting and damaging his stationary car while some of the occupants were trying to get out of it.

What is happening to Hyderabad?
byu/Blackbeard10 inhyderabad

In the post, the user also mentioned calling the police on Dial 100 and not receiving any assistance, despite the closest police station being within half a kilometre away.

While some comments under the post pointed out the failure of law and order in the city, others suggested that youths from other localities loitering around these areas have too much time on their hands and thus end up creating a ruckus.

In a similar post, another Reddit user, who claims to be a local, opened up about his partner from the North being eve-teased in the Raidurg area on several occasions. In his post, he mentioned how men made lewd gestures at her and spoke indecently to her.

Losing respect I have for Hyderabad. It isn’t safe anymore.
byu/Unusual-Pin-9981 inhyderabad

Given the alarming trend of people sharing their nightmarish experiences, one is forced to question their safety in Hyderabad. The sense of worry is even greater for women, considering the inaction of the city police in curbing the anti-social behavior of individuals.

These incidents have occurred more often than one could imagine, and the people in our close circles—especially women—may have been victims.

With far more than just the city’s reputation at stake, it is now time to ask ourselves: “Is this city safe for its people?”