Hyderabad: The BRS has condemned the handcuffing of farmers protesting against an ethanol factory in Pedda Dhanwada, Jogulamba Gadwal district and blamed Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his political witch-hunting.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao called the move heinous and unforgivable, criticising the Congress government for unleashing tyranny on innocent villagers. He demanded an immediate apology from the Chief Minister.
In a statement, Rama Rao slammed the police for treating protesting farmers and even food vendors like criminals by handcuffing them at the Alampur court. “This is not law enforcement, but state-sponsored humiliation of those raising their voices,” he said, calling the action a reflection of the Chief Minster’s demonic mentality.
Drawing parallels with an earlier incident involving a farmer from Lagacherla who was handcuffed after a heart attack during a protest linked to a pharma firm, he stated that Revanth Reddy’s administration reeked of arrogance and vendetta.
Former Minister and senior BRS leader T Harish Rao also condemned the incident, warning that Telangana was slipping into authoritarianism. “From Lagacherla to Rajoli, farmers are in chains and civil rights activists are being detained. This is the Congress’ version of democracy, choking dissent and crushing voices,” he said.
Former Minister S Niranjan Reddy condemned the handcuffing of paddy producers and blamed the Congress government for the same. He said the government was harassing people for questioning it.
“Why is the government so adamant that despite opposition from locals, it wants to go ahead with the ethanol project?” he asked.