Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) has strongly criticized the Congress-led Telangana government for reportedly detaining a journalist covering student protests at the University of Hyderabad. KTR condemned the move as a “blatant suppression of free speech” and took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of double standards on democracy and free speech.
KTR’s Sharp Criticism of Congress
Expressing his outrage on social media, KTR said:
“The draconian police overreach in Telangana is alarming. Journalists are being detained & dissenting voices arrested. This blatant suppression of free speech and expression is unacceptable. And Rahul Gandhi goes to town preaching about democracy and free speech. The double standards are beyond sickening.”
Journalist Detained Amid Student Protests
The journalist, Sumit Jha, was reportedly detained while covering protests at Hyderabad University, where students were demonstrating against the felling of forest land and the auction of 400 acres of university property. Jha posted a video of his detention online, sparking outrage among opposition leaders and press freedom advocates.
Reacting to Jha’s detention, BRS spokesperson Krishank stated:
“Journalist Sumit was arrested by the Congress government for reporting the arrests of students at the University of Hyderabad over protests against cutting down forests on campus and the auction of 400 acres.”
BRS Calls Out Congress for Political Targeting
BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay also took a swipe at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s government, accusing it of misusing power to silence critics.
“In the past 15 months, the Congress party has only been filing cases against anybody questioning the government processes. The government has not reacted to media reports of a question paper leak but has filed cases against KTR and others.”
Criticizing Congress’ stance, he further stated:
“While Rahul Gandhi speaks about the Constitution and ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ (shop of love), this government has only ‘Dushman ki Dukaan’ (shop of enmity).”
The BRS has announced plans to move an adjournment motion in the Telangana Assembly to discuss pressing issues, including:
✔ Pending DA payments
✔ Revisiting the Pay Revision Commission (PRC)
✔ Alleged failures of the Congress government
With the political atmosphere in Telangana heating up, the issue of press freedom and student activism is becoming a major flashpoint between the ruling Congress and opposition BRS.