Telangana govt orders probe into Assembly incidents, assures support to Speaker
Hyderabad, Sept 9 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday announced a comprehensive probe into the incidents reported on September 6, including the alleged abuse of Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar, clashes between BRS legislators and police personnel and other incidents in and around the Assembly.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said stringent action would be taken against those responsible for the incidents and those found to be part of any alleged conspiracy.
He said criminal proceedings would be initiated wherever warranted, including under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Revanth assured the Speaker that the state government stood firmly behind him and appealed to him to remain strong in the face of the developments.
The Chief Minister alleged that BRS president and Leader of Opposition K Chandrashekhar Rao had adopted a “feudal” approach towards the Dalit Speaker and the Dalit community.
He also condemned the alleged “purification ritual” conducted by a BJP-affiliated outfit at a venue where AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had participated in a programme on August 10.
Revanth said the alleged incidents targeting the Speaker and Kharge were highly condemnable and amounted to an insult to the dignity of constitutional institutions and Telangana society.
The Chief Minister alleged that BRS President and former Chief Minister KChandrashekhar Rao (KCR) had sought to prevent a debate in the Assembly on several issues, including the classification of lands under Section 22-A, Dharani and alleged irregularities in the education sector.
He alleged that the BRS was apprehensive that a detailed debate would bring alleged irregularities during its decade-long tenure to light, besides highlighting the debt burden left behind by the previous government.
Revanth said the opposition had a responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of the House and alleged that BRS legislators instead resorted to disruption and violence.
He said the Leader of the Opposition should have apologised to the Speaker and ensured that his party legislators also expressed regret over their conduct.
The Chief Minister also said Dalit representatives who organised a “Dandora” protest at KCR’s farmhouse had done so democratically and without resorting to violence.
He said KCR, as Leader of the Opposition, should have invited the protesting Dalit representatives for talks instead of allowing the situation to escalate.
Revanth said those responsible for disturbing social harmony would face action in accordance with law and asserted that Telangana society would not tolerate attempts to create divisions or undermine democratic institutions.
TNT TS
