In a bizarre scene that played out in Telangana, three BJP workers including Warangal district party President Rao Padma received burn injuries as they were staging a protest and burning the effigy of CM KCR over the rape of an infant that shook Telangana recently.
The incident took place in Hanmakonda Ambedkar circle, where the party workers were staging a protest seeking justice for the victim's family.
One BJP worker Bingi Srinivas is said to be critical.
The incident happened followed by a protest rally which was confronted by police amidst mild tension. Visuals showed police trying to take away the saffron party leaders.
Before the effigy went up in flames, visuals showed BJP leaders forming a human circle to burn it even as the police were trying to move them away.
Police later took the injured to a local hospital for treatment. Agitated by the unexpected turn of events, BJP activists allegedly damaged a police patrol vehicle. Visuals showed a few BJP workers trying to stone the vehicle, however, police later dispersed them before taking the vehicle away.
Earlier last week, a nine-month-old infant was raped and killed after she was kidnapped.
Shaken by the horrific incident, several residents and social organisations held protests demanding justice for the victim's family.
The rape accused was arrested and sent to judicial remand soon after the incident.
The BJP, which recently won four MP seats in Telangana, is positioning itself as the main opposition against the TRS-led ruling government and is holding several anti-government demonstrations.
Recently, its lone MLA from Goshamahal, Raja Singh, was in the midst of a controversy after he was found hitting himself with a stone on his head following a scuffle with the police, while trying to erect a statue.