BRS leader Harish Rao opposes arrests of journalists, students to stifle dissent in Telangana

Says Congress, which claims to uphold free speech, now silencing critics; calls Revanth's remarks in Assembly vulgar and demonstrating utter disregard for democracy and freedom of expression

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior MLA T Harish Rao lambasted the Congress government for its hypocrisy over freedom of expression.

Condemning the recent arrests of journalists in Telangana, he said the Congress, which claimed to uphold free speech, was now silencing critics.

---

Harish also hit out at Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, calling his remarks in the Assembly vulgar and demonstrating utter disregard for democracy and freedom of expression.

“Rahul Gandhi’s lectures on free speech sound hollow when his party’s government is stifling dissent and silencing criticis in Telangana,” he said, slamming the Congress’s double standards on freedom of express and democratic values.

The BRS leader also condemned the police crackdown on Osmania University (OU) students, calling it unconstitutional. “OU is the heart of the Telangana statehood movement, and restricting protests here is a betrayal of democracy. Arresting students for demanding their rights is inhuman,” he said.

Demanding the immediate release of arrested students, Harish Rao warned that the Congress was conspiring to crush Telangana’s fighting spirit.

“The BRS will never tolerate attacks on students and youth. The government must listen to their grievances instead of suppressing them,” he asserted.

He urged the Congress government to revoke restrictions on OU and uphold citizens’ fundamental right to protest.