The New Indian Express ·
Politics
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy orders probe into ‘BRS plot hatched by KCR’
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the series of incidents that began with the BRS protests at the Assembly gates on Monday and culminated in the “purification ritual” near BRS supremo KCR’s farmhouse at Erravalli. He alleged that the incidents were part of a conspiracy hatched at the Erravalli farmhouse.
When the Assembly met on Wednesday, SC Development Minister Adluri Laxman Rao made a statement on the “purification ritual” carried out by BRS activists on the road near KCR’s Erravalli farmhouse. The activists sprinkled water mixed with turmeric on the road used by Congress Dalit activists on Tuesday for their protest against BRS supremo.
Replying to the debate in the Assembly, Revanth Reddy condemned the “purification” and called for stern action against those involved, including the alleged masterminds. “We have to socially boycott the Kalvakuntla family. It is not the roads that need purification, the mindset of untouchability needs to be changed,” he stated.
Revanth said those who planned the incidents on September 6 and those who executed them would be brought to book.
“KCR became like a madman and ordered his party men to “purify” the road,” he alleged.
“The incidents were an attempt to create fissures in society. The onus for holding a purification ceremony lay squarely with KCR. Where are we headed now? Are we in the Middle Ages? The series of incidents was a result of Manuvad thinking. The state government will not be a mute spectator to such practices and will punish those responsible,” he said.
Revanth said it would have been better if KCR had accepted his mistake and apologised. “KCR should have come to the House and apologised in order to facilitate discussion on important issues,” he said.
The chief minister said the case registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would be investigated to determine whether there was an intention to insult Dalits under Section 3(1)(R), promote hatred towards Dalits under Section 3(1)(U), and whether BNS Section 352 was attracted for planning to create law and order problems. Those who executed the plan and those behind the scenes would face criminal cases, he said.
Hyderabad Joint Commissioner of Police SM Vijay Kumar will head the probe.
BRS leaders fear their misdeeds will be exposed, says Revanth
Revanth said the inquiry would also examine the attacks on the police and the use of derogatory language against the Speaker, and sought the cooperation of all members. “The abuse was intended to mentally break the Chair. The courts might have given bail to them but society will not accept this. Society should boycott them socially; only then will they understand. Their minds should be cleaned,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Congress party’s SC and ST wings held a “Dappula Mota” (drum-beating) protest at Erravalli, demanding an apology from KCR after BRS MLC Tata Madhusudhan alias Tata Madhu allegedly used derogatory language against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar.
Revanth expressed regret over the context in which the purification ritual took place at Erravalli. He recalled a similar incident involving persons affiliated with the BJP and RSS from the Sri Ram Sena after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge attended an event at Haldwani in Uttarakhand.
Recalling that Kharge lost his mother as a child in an attack by Razakars, Revanth said that the AICC chief had become a victim of the practice of untouchability despite having spent 60 years in public life.
“We wanted to discuss all issues like Sec 22-A and fee reimbursement, among others. But the BRS leaders seem to have come to obstruct the House as their misdeeds will be exposed. They attacked the police and abused the Speaker. I want the AIMIM, BJP and CPI to condemn them,” he said.
Explaining that sufficient protection had been provided to KCR as Leader of the Opposition, Revanth said hundreds of police personnel had stopped those who went to protest two km from his farmhouse at Erravalli.
He said drum-beating was a form of protest and that the demonstration was held because there had been no message of regret from KCR.
“KCR could have called a few representatives from the protesters and met them,” he said, adding that drums were a part of a Dalit’s life.
