Congress faces criticism over protests despite promise to restore democratic values

The Congress government is facing criticism over alleged restrictions on protests despite its promise to restore democratic values. Opposition leaders cited house arrests, police intervention and action against protesters as examples, questioning the government's commitment to democratic rights in Telangana.

Hyderabad: The Congress government has faced criticism for not fully implementing the six guarantees promised during the Assembly elections. Now, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy‘s “Seventh Guarantee” of restoring democratic values is also under scrutiny, with opposition parties alleging restrictions on protests by political leaders, students, unemployed youth and farmers.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly claimed that democratic values have been restored in the State. However, recent incidents have raised questions over these claims, with opposition leaders alleging police action to prevent protests and demonstrations.

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On Saturday, BRS Deputy Floor Leader P Sabitha Indra Reddy and her son P Karthik Reddy were placed under house arrest and prevented from visiting Bahadurguda village. They had planned to extend support to farmers opposing the State government’s proposal to acquire 650 acres for the bullet train project.

On Monday, former Minister T Jeevan Reddy was also stopped from reaching Malyala crossroads, where farmers have been demanding that the government lift and supply water through flood canals.

Police intercepted Jeevan Reddy on the outskirts of Nukapally village. In a video circulated on social media, he questioned the police action, asking why he was being prevented from supporting farmers and whether such restrictions reflected democratic values.

Similarly, several unemployed youth were allegedly stopped from attending the BRS Yuva Sangrama Sadassu at Saroornagar on Saturday. Opposition leaders claimed the police tried to prevent participants from reaching the venue despite the High Court permitting the programme.

The Congress government has faced criticism on earlier occasions as well over its handling of protests and arrests.

In 2024, actor Allu Arjun was arrested from his Jubilee Hills residence in connection with the Sandhya Theatre stampede case. The arrest drew criticism after he alleged that police initially refused to allow him to change his clothes and footwear before taking him into custody.

The same year, Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy alleged that police entered his bedroom at his Kondapur residence while attempting to arrest him in connection with a case.

Another incident that drew criticism involved Lagacherla tribal farmer Heerya Naik, who was shifted from Sangareddy jail to a hospital in handcuffs after suffering a heart attack. The incident sparked outrage after photographs showed him remaining handcuffed while undergoing treatment.

There have also been incidents in which students, ASHA workers and other groups were prevented from staging protests. In a few cases, people were arrested for posting messages against the State government on social media.