Tummala faces flak for Deepavali remarks at Khammam meeting after video goes viral

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has come under criticism after a video of his remarks at a public meeting in Khammam went viral on social media. The Minister's sarcastic comment while asking attendees about the date of Deepavali drew sharp reactions from netizens.

Khammam: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has been facing criticism on social media for the objectionable language he used at a meeting in Khammam.

The Minister along with district Collector Diwakara TS and Commissioner of Police Sunil Dutt inspected Indiramma houses under construction at Velugumatla Colony and held a press briefing on Monday.

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Speaking on the occasion, Nageswara Rao directed officials to complete the construction of around 300 houses by November 15 and informed attendees that the colony would be inaugurated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on December 9.

During the meeting he brought up the subject of festival dates. 

Addressing those present, he asked, “When is the festival of Deepavali?” When no one could provide an answer, he remarked sarcastically, ‘Okka naa kodukki kuda Deepavali eppodu teliyada?’ which roughly translates to, ‘Does not a single idiot know when is Deepavali?’

A video clip of the incident has gone viral on social media, with many netizens expressing anger at the Minister’s insulting comments directed at the public.

Many social media users said it was unbecoming of Nageswara Rao, a senior Minister, to use such language, and advised him to exercise restraint while speaking publicly as every word spoken by public representatives has an impact on society.