Hyderabad: Telangana Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded the immediate withdrawal of Rahul Gandhi cases on Friday. He also sought strict action against those who allegedly insulted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Congress staged a major protest at the Kamareddy district headquarters. Party workers alleged that authorities registered Rahul Gandhi cases after he questioned an alleged caste discrimination incident involving Kharge.
A rally began at Nizamsagar Chowrasta and ended at the municipal office. Congress workers later staged a dharna at the venue. Jukkal MLA Laxmikanth Rao, former DCCB chairman Pocharam Bhaskar Reddy and DCC president Ale Mallikarjun joined the protest.
Municipal Chairperson Ippa Umarani and other Congress leaders also participated. The demonstration focused on the alleged insult to Kharge and the action against Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing the gathering, Shabbir Ali said caste discrimination and untouchability had no place in India. He also opposed practices that treated people as inferior because of caste.
Reports claimed that a venue attended by Kharge was later “purified” with Gangajal. Congress leaders linked the alleged act to Kharge being a Dalit leader.
“This is not merely an insult to Kharge. It is an insult to the Constitution and the ideals of Dr B.R. Ambedkar,” Shabbir Ali said.
The adviser said the Congress had consistently fought caste discrimination. He added that the party would continue that fight for equality and dignity.
“Caste may determine a person’s birth, but it cannot determine dignity. Every Indian has the right to live with self-respect, and no one can undermine the equality guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said.
Shabbir Ali accused the BJP-led Central government of trying to suppress Rahul Gandhi for raising public issues. According to him, questioning the government on behalf of citizens was a democratic right.
“Rahul Gandhi cannot be intimidated through cases. The cases registered against him must be withdrawn immediately, and attempts to silence voices questioning the government must stop,” he said.
He urged the Central and State governments to order a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged insult to Kharge. The adviser also sought strict legal action against those responsible.
Rahul Gandhi cases widen Kamareddy political attack
The protest later shifted to Telangana politics. Shabbir Ali demanded that BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao resign as Leader of Opposition.
He alleged that KCR had remained inaccessible to people despite holding the post. “KCR ruled for 10 years and is now unavailable even as Leader of Opposition. A leader who does not work for the people has no right to continue in that post,” he said.
Shabbir Ali also demanded an apology from KCR to the people of Kamareddy. He asked the former Chief Minister to explain his work for the constituency after contesting from there.
The adviser also questioned which local issues KCR had raised in the Assembly.
He alleged that neither KCR nor BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao had visited people affected by floods and heavy rains in the district. Shabbir Ali also questioned the BRS over its party funds.
He asked how much financial assistance the party had provided to Kamareddy residents. The question came despite the BRS reportedly having hundreds of crores of rupees in its account.
Shabbir Ali then challenged the BRS to a public debate on the performance of both governments. He proposed comparing the BRS government’s 10 years in power with the Congress government’s first 1,000 days.
“We are ready to compare both governments on development, welfare, education, healthcare, farmers, women, youth and the poor,” he said.
The adviser said the Congress government under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was implementing welfare and development programmes. These included farmer support, free bus travel for women and free electricity.
He also cited Indiramma houses, smart ration cards and improvements in education and healthcare infrastructure.
“The Congress government believes in action, not words. Our aim is to bring change to people’s lives,” he said.
Jukkal MLA Laxmikanth Rao said the alleged insult to Kharge went against democratic values. He maintained that attempts to suppress voices raising public issues would not succeed.
Laxmikanth Rao asked Congress workers to take the government’s welfare and development programmes to the people.
Former DCCB chairman Pocharam Bhaskar Reddy alleged that the BRS had failed to fully implement its promises during its decade in power. He said the Congress government was reaching out to people and addressing their concerns.
Library chairman Chandrakanth Reddy, town Congress president Aireni Sandeep and PCC general secretary Indrakaran Reddy attended the protest.
PACS chairmen Gudem Srinivas Reddy, Anthampalli Sudhakar Reddy, Bheem Reddy, Navasilal Naik and Anantha Reddy also participated.
Congress mandal presidents Narender Reddy, Patha Raju, Ankam Krishnarao, Ashaboyina Srinivas and Raja Goud were present. Other party leaders, elected representatives and workers also attended the protest.
