Hyderabad: Kaushik Reddy remarks against a serving IPS officer drew strong condemnation from Hyderabad District Congress Committee president Syed Khalid Saifullah, who termed them baseless and irresponsible.
In a media statement issued on Friday, Saifullah said it was alarming that a sitting MLA had targeted an officer carrying out lawful duties to maintain public order. He added that dragging religious insinuations into policing matters was unacceptable and contrary to constitutional values.
Moreover, Saifullah said the Kaushik Reddy remarks appeared intended to divert attention from the MLA’s own family dispute, which had already reached the courts. He pointed out that even the MLA’s family members had approached the judiciary in the matter.
According to Saifullah, court submissions made by Kaushik Reddy’s relatives stated that the Jatara had been conducted peacefully for over five decades. He noted that the current year marked the event’s Golden Jubilee.
Despite this, Saifullah said the MLA interfered unnecessarily and attempted to claim credit for the Jatara. He alleged that such actions created avoidable disturbances and later led to blame being shifted onto police officials.
Kaushik Reddy remarks drew Congress demand for apology
The Hyderabad DCC president said Kaushik Reddy misused his protocol and position to pursue a personal agenda. As a result, he said, officers performing their duties were falsely accused.
Saifullah said such conduct violated democratic decorum and the rule of law. Therefore, he asserted, accountability must apply equally to elected representatives.
He further said the Congress party stood firmly with honest and professional officers. At the same time, he stressed that the party would resist any attempt to intimidate or demoralise officials for political reasons.
Consequently, Saifullah demanded an immediate and unconditional public apology from Kaushik Reddy to the IPS officer and the police department. He also urged competent authorities to take note of the incident to prevent its recurrence.
Finally, Saifullah said Telangana’s strong administrative tradition depended on protecting institutional dignity. He warned that reckless statements weakened public trust and distracted attention from real public issues.
