Protest erupts over Ayyappa mala ban

In Hyderabad, a big protest happened at the police headquarters because some police officers were not allowed to wear a special religious necklace called Ayyappa mala and follow a 41-day religious practice called Deeksha while they were working.

The police said officers can't wear certain religious items or grow beards while on duty and should take leave if they want to do these things.

Many people who follow the Ayyappa religion and some political groups were very angry and protested outside the police office.

They said the police were being unfair and not respecting their religious rights.

The police had to stop the protesters from entering the office and took some people away to calm things down.

This has started a big discussion about how police should handle religious practices while on duty.