Protests erupt over ‘derogatory remarks' against Amaravati women
Massive protests broke out on Monday across Andhra Pradesh following controversial remarks allegedly made against women from the Amaravati capital region during a live debate on a Telugu TV channel, recently.
The remarks, aired during a panel discussion involving a journalist, V.V.R. Krishnam Raju, and moderated by journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, have sparked outrage from political leaders, women's groups, and the public.
The police arrested Mr. Srinivasa Rao on Monday in Hyderabad.
Protest rally
In Ponnur, a protest rally was organised under the leadership of local MLA Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Narendra condemned the remarks and criticised the TV channel management, for allowing such statements to be aired.
'Even after being reduced to just 11 seats in the recent elections, YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has not shed his arrogance,' Mr. Narendra said. He claimed that the TV broadcast was an intentional attempt to insult women who did not support the YSRCP in the elections. 'Forgetful of the fact that women are present in every household, including their own, they chose to demean women through such irresponsible commentary,' he added.
The legislator also pointed to an earlier incident involving a political activist Kiran Kumar, who reportedly made remarks on social media and was later allegedly assaulted while in police custody by a former YSRCP MP. He demanded immediate action and accountability in the present case as well.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Kanumuru Raghurama Krishna Raju condemned the role of the panellists, asserting that journalists should uphold ethical standards. 'The ones expected to guide others on media ethics have themselves failed,' he said. 'Krishnam Raju spoke recklessly, while Kommineni laughed along — an equally serious offence. I have written to the DGP seeking immediate action,' he added.
In Guntur's Arundelpet, the Telugu Mahila activists staged a protest outside the TV channel office, setting ablaze copies of the newspaper also owned by the management. Women protesters voiced anger over what they termed recurring attempts to defame the women of the Amaravati region. 'They called Amaravati a graveyard earlier, and now they stoop further. If such comments continue, the public will not remain silent,' a protester warned.
Protesters demanded an unconditional apology from the TV channel and its leadership. 'If the organisation fails to apologise, women will respond appropriately,' they asserted.
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