BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticized the Congress government in Telangana for detaining a journalist during student protests at Hyderabad University, calling it a suppression of free speech.

NEW DELHI: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao on Monday criticized the Congress government in Telangana for allegedly detaining a journalist covering student protests at Hyderabad University, calling it an “unacceptable suppression” of free speech.
KTR also took a dig at Congress leader and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of double standards on democracy and free speech.
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Students at Hyderabad University were protesting against the cutting of forests on campus and the auctioning of 400 acres of land when the alleged detention took place.
“The draconian police overreach in Telangana is alarming. Journalists are being detained & dissenting voices arrested. This blatant suppression of free speech and expression is unacceptable. And Rahul Gandhi goes to town preaching about democracy and free speech. The double standards are beyond sickening,” KTR posted on X.
Journalist Sumit Jha was reportedly detained by police while covering the student protests. He had also posted a video of his detention on social media.
Reacting to the incident, BRS spokesperson Krishank said, “Journalist Sumit arrested by Congress government for reporting arrests of students in University of Hyderabad over the protests on cutting down of forests in campus and auction of 400 acres.”
BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay also hit out at the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government over the recent case filed against KTR and other BRS leaders, accusing the ruling party of misusing power.
“In the past 15 months, the Congress party has only been filing cases against anybody questioning the government processes. The government has not reacted to media reports of a question paper leak but filed cases against KTR and others,” Sanjay alleged.
He further mocked Rahul Gandhi’s political campaign, saying, “While Rahul Gandhi speaks about the Constitution and ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan,’ this government has only ‘Dushman ki Dukaan.'”
Sanjay also stated that the BRS is moving an adjournment motion in the Assembly to press the government on pending dearness allowance (DA) payments and the status of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) process, which was promised during the elections.