BRS MLC demands action against police harassment of party workers in Jubilee Hills
Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dr. Sravan Dasoju condemned police harassment of party workers in Jubilee Hills Assembly Constituency on Tuesday, demanding immediate intervention from election authorities and state police leadership.
Dasoju accused local police officers of intimidating BRS campaigners and volunteers, describing the actions as a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and democratic principles. The MLC specifically criticized threats made against small groups conducting door-to-door campaigning activities.
“Police are meant to protect democracy, not to crush it under political pressure,” Dasoju stated. He further alleged that the ruling Congress government was misusing police machinery for partisan purposes.
According to Dasoju, police and field officers threatened BRS campaigners across multiple localities in Jubilee Hills. Officers allegedly insisted that permission was required for door-to-door campaigning by groups of 10-15 people, which Dasoju characterized as false enforcement.
The BRS leader referenced the Election Commission of India’s Manual on Model Code of Conduct from 2022, specifically Chapter VII on campaign regulations. He quoted the manual’s provision that no prior permission is required for door-to-door campaigning by groups of up to 50 people, provided traffic and public order remain unobstructed.
BRS workers harassment continues despite election guidelines
Dasoju emphasized that the Model Code of Conduct explicitly requires district administration and police to maintain neutrality while ensuring equal campaigning opportunities for all recognized political parties. He argued that threatening BRS workers violated both the letter and spirit of these guidelines.
The MLC alleged that certain police officers, under pressure from political superiors, deliberately misinterpreted election rules to obstruct BRS campaigns. He claimed this created fear among grassroots volunteers and constituted a serious breach of conduct regulations.
“If police start acting like agents of the ruling party, democracy will collapse,” Dasoju declared. He stressed that elections must be contested through public support rather than police suppression.
Dasoju appealed directly to the Election Commission, Telangana CEO, state DGP, and West Zone DCP through social media handles. He requested written directions to all Station House Officers and field personnel regarding three specific measures.
First, he demanded that police allow peaceful door-to-door campaigning by small groups as permitted under Model Code of Conduct regulations. Second, he called for absolute police neutrality and prevention of authority misuse. Third, he sought protection of every political party’s democratic right to campaign freely without fear.
“Free and fair elections are the soul of democracy,” Dasoju stated. He warned that losing neutrality would render elections meaningless and claimed Telangana’s people would not tolerate political policing.
The BRS leader concluded by urging swift action from election authorities and police leadership. He emphasized that police should not become political pawns and that democracy must function freely in Jubilee Hills constituency.
Dasoju asserted that Telangana’s citizens deserved impartial and fearless elections rather than those controlled through intimidation tactics.
