KTR condemns arrest of journalists, calls Congress rule ‘Emergency 2.0’

The BRS working president said the Congress was systematically targeting journalists, particularly YouTube channels, for exposing public discontent

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao slammed the Congress government for the arrest of journalists Revathi Pogadadanda and Tanvi Yadav, calling it an attack on press freedom. He charged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy with suppressing dissent and ruling with an Emergency-era mindset.

“People believed Indiramma Rajyam meant a welfare state. But today, it reminds us of the dark days of Emergency. Is this what Rahul Gandhi’s Mohabbat ki Dukaan stands for – throwing journalists into jail for questioning the government?” he asked after he, along with former Ministers P Sabitha Indra Reddy, V Sunitha Lakshma Reddy and MLC Dasoju Shravan, met the journalists at Chanchalguda Women’s Prison on Monday.

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Speaking to the media, the BRS working president said the Congress was systematically targeting journalists, particularly YouTube channels, for exposing public discontent. “How does Revanth justify arresting two women journalists in the middle of the night? Their only ‘crime’ was showing the people’s frustration against the government,” he said.

He criticised Revanth Reddy’s double standards on offensive language. “Before condemning remarks against his family, he should recall the derogatory comments he made about us and our families,” he remarked, adding that some people were using offensive language to express their ire, assuming that Revanth Reddy understands their woes only if they speak in his language.

The BRS working president blamed the Congress for failing to deliver on its promises and silencing those who question it. “Revanth Reddy, who once claimed democracy was his seventh guarantee, cannot tolerate criticism. His government is filing illegal cases against journalists simply for reporting the truth,” he charged.

Vowing legal action, Rama Rao said BRS would fight for the journalists’ release. “We are not afraid of threats. Tomorrow, Revanth Reddy will face the same fate,” he declared. Urging the media to resist suppression, he stated that Telangana was in the hands of a reckless leader. “If we stay silent today, no journalist will be safe tomorrow,” he added.