BRS accuses Congress govt of threats to free speech
BRS spokesperson Manne Krishank criticized a Telangana Cyber Security Bureau notice to X Corp over a takedown request involving a video allegedly linking Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to Hitler. He called it an attempt to suppress dissent and questioned restrictions on free expression
Hyderabad: BRS spokesperson Manne Krishank criticised a notice issued by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau to X Corp, alleging that it threatened democratic values and freedom of expression. Notwithstanding the notice, he made it clear that the post, which featured a caricature of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in a Nazi uniform, would not be removed.
Referring to a takedown notice reportedly seeking the removal of a video posted from a personal account that allegedly featured Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy praising Hitler, Krishank said treating political commentary as a criminal matter was contrary to the spirit of democracy. He also questioned the notice’s reported request that X should not inform the account holder, arguing that such a direction violated the principles of transparency and natural justice.
Sharing the notice served on X on social media, he referred to the Congress government as the “Hitler government”, ridiculing the allegation that the video used provocative language and reminding that Revanth Reddy himself had made the comments. He questioned why depicting the Chief Minister in Nazi attire was considered objectionable while his remarks praising Hitler were not.
“Strange that the police are also asking X not to inform the user, alleging that he might flee or hinder the investigation,” he said.
Speaking to mediapersons at Telangana Bhavan later, Krishank said the Chief Minister was boasting about demolishing the homes of the poor as though it were an achievement. He said that by calling Hitler and his policies an inspiration, Revanth Reddy was insulting the State as well as the country, which is the world’s largest democracy. He stated that one need not be surprised if Revanth Reddy decided to install statues of Hitler in the future.
He also criticised the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, accusing it of acting as a “damage control bureau” after a case was registered against him over a social media post.
BRS social media conveners Patimeeda Jaganmohan Rao, Dinesh Chowdary and Putta Vishnuvardhan Reddy alleged that the Congress leadership was encouraging authoritarian politics. They sought to know whether the Congress had abandoned the Gandhi-Nehru ideology and adopted Revanth Reddy’s Hitler idea. They demanded that Rahul Gandhi seek an explanation from the Chief Minister and take appropriate action.
