Hyderabad: Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday accused Congress govt of curbing BJP ’s right to protest, contrasting the restrictions he alleged in Telangana with the freedom enjoyed by Congress leaders to stage demonstrations in Delhi under the BJP-led govt at the Centre.
Kishan Reddy said Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had been allowed to protest in Delhi despite inconvenience to the public. He also cited a recent demonstration by Congress leaders in Hyderabad demanding the removal of the chief election commissioner, asking why BJP leaders faced restrictions when they sought to protest in Telangana. He alleged that between May and Sept, BJP state president N Ramchander Rao and other party leaders had repeatedly been placed under house arrest or prevented from participating in protests related to police recruitment, farmers’ issues, Singareni, fee reimbursement arrears and scholarships.
He cited the Emergency imposed in 1975, alleging that Congress had curtailed civil liberties, suppressed press freedom and detained political leaders.
Reacting to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ’s description of India as a “muzzled democracy”, Kishan Reddy said Congress should examine its own record before criticising the Centre.