BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy Clashes with Police at Jatara, Booked
Police officials said restrictions were imposed on the movement of large convoys towards the venue to prevent overcrowding and to maintain law and order.
Hyderabad:The Huzurabad police booked BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy for allegedly abusing police personnel and obstructing them from discharging their official duties during the Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara-related events in Karimnagar district. The MLA, stopped from proceeding to the site, allegedly made derogatory and communal remarks against Karimnagar police commissioner Gaush Alam, accusing him of religious proselytisation while on duty.
The incident followed a sit-in staged by Kaushik Reddy along with his wife, daughter and supporters on the Huzurabad highway around Thursday noon after police stopped him from proceeding to his native village of Veenavanka to attend the annual tribal festival. Police officials said restrictions were imposed on the movement of large convoys towards the venue to prevent overcrowding and to maintain law and order.
Angered by the restriction, Kaushik Reddy and his followers reportedly argued with police personnel, leading to a brief stand-off on the road. The police later cleared the protest, citing obstruction to traffic. During the altercation, the MLA allegedly made derogatory and communal remarks against Karimnagar police commissioner Gaush Alam, accusing him of religious proselytisation while on duty.
Tensions resurfaced later in the evening at the jatara site in Veenavanka when Kaushik Reddy again confrontation the police personnel near the gadde, the altar dedicated to Goddess Sammakka. He alleged that the village sarpanch was prevented from offering a coconut at the altar, a charge denied by the police. Amid jostling and heated exchanges, the MLA was briefly taken away in a police vehicle to the Saidapur police station and released later.
The police registered a case against the MLA under Sections 189(3), 126(2), 132, 299, 196 and 351(2) read with 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Amid mounting criticism, Kaushik Reddy issued an unconditional apology through a video message on social media, stating that his remarks were unintentional and made under frustration and pressure. He said he held the police and government officials in high regard and regretted any hurt caused, while alleging that the controversy was being politically fuelled by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
Separately, the MLA approached Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar seeking initiation of a privilege motion against Karimnagar police commissioner Gaush Alam, Huzurabad ACP Madhavi and Jammikunta Rural inspector Laxmi Narayana. He claimed unlawful restraint, humiliation and breach of legislative privilege during his temple visit, claiming the police action insulted the dignity of an elected representative. He also alleged that a Dalit woman sarpanch was prevented from performing rituals and announced plans to approach the State SC/ST Commission over the issue.
Hyderabad:The incident involving BRS legislator Padi Kaushik Reddy drew sharp reactions from the police associations. The Telangana IPS Officers’ Association and the Telangana Police Officers’ Association on Friday condemned Kaushik Reddy’s remarks, calling them baseless, indecent and harmful to the morale of the force.
In a statement, the IPS Officers’ Association said Kaushik Reddy had made malicious and unsubstantiated allegations against commissioner Gaush Alam, including references to the officer’s religion. It termed the allegations entirely false and unwarranted.
The association said such comments amounted to an attack on the dignity and independence of civil services and demanded an unconditional public apology.