At a recent press conference in Delhi, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) focused on allegations of violence and forced land acquisition in Telangana under the Congress-led government of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The event, held at Delhi’s Constitution Club, featured testimonies from landowners and farmers from Lagacharla, highlighting alleged police excesses and government pressure aimed at acquiring land for a private pharmaceutical project purportedly linked to the Chief Minister’s family.
KTR condemned the state's actions, drawing attention to the perceived violation of human rights, especially among the tribal population and marginalized farmers. He criticized the Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, for not addressing these issues, which KTR described as contradictory to Gandhi's advocacy for marginalized communities.
Several farmers and residents of Lagacharla shared emotional accounts of nighttime police raids, carried out with power cuts to enable forced entry. One particularly disturbing story came from Jyothi, a woman nine months pregnant, who recounted the brutal treatment of her husband, who was beaten and detained. There were also accusations of police harassment and inappropriate conduct, including claims of sexual misconduct towards women and girls by officers allegedly under the influence. Some residents stated that male family members were still detained, while others had disappeared, causing considerable distress among their families.
KTR drew comparisons between the current situation in Telangana and other recent incidents of national concern, such as the violence in Manipur and child deaths in Uttar Pradesh hospitals. He argued that the severity of the alleged atrocities in Telangana should be of equal concern to the nation. KTR directly addressed Rahul Gandhi, holding him accountable for the actions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and demanding a response to the oppression of tribal communities in Telangana. He also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not acknowledging the situation, questioning why the issue has not drawn his attention.
Furthermore, KTR challenged the national media to give equal coverage to the alleged violence in Telangana, asserting that it was a matter of significant public interest. The women at the press conference made an emotional appeal to Rahul Gandhi, invoking his previous promises to stand with the marginalized, and urged him to respond to their plight.
This situation has sparked broader concerns about land rights, governance, and the treatment of vulnerable communities in Telangana, intensifying political tensions as BRS leaders call for a stronger national response to the issues raised.
