Congress MLA Anirudh Reddy sparks row with remarks on drug abuse in film industry

Congress MLA J Anirudh Reddy sparked controversy by suggesting mandatory drug tests every 90 days for film artistes and elected public representatives. He said films should be released only after artistes clear the tests, reigniting debate on his remarks

Hyderabad: Congress MLA from Jadcherla J Anirudh Reddy stirred a fresh controversy on Monday by stating that drug abuse was more prevalent in the film industry and suggesting that film artistes should undergo mandatory drug tests every 90 days.

He said rules should be framed making drug tests mandatory and films should be released only after artistes clear the tests. If the artistes fail to undergo the tests, the films should not be released, the Congress MLA insisted.

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During an informal interaction with mediapersons in the Assembly premises here, the Jadcherla MLA further suggested that drug tests should be made mandatory for elected public representatives as well. “If elected public representatives do not take the tests, they should not be permitted into the House,” Anirudh Reddy suggested.

The Congress MLA had recently stirred another controversy by demanding the resumption of arrack outlets in the State. Last week, Anirudh Reddy had said that arrack shops should be reopened in the State, claiming that people who consumed arrack lived for over 115 years.