Hyderabad: Telangana Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded the immediate withdrawal of Rahul Gandhi cases, which he termed “illegal.” He also sought stringent action over the alleged insult to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Shabbir Ali made the demands during a large Congress protest at the Kamareddy district headquarters on Friday. The party alleged that cases were registered against Rahul Gandhi after he questioned an incident of caste discrimination involving Kharge.
Congress workers took out a rally from Nizamsagar Chowrasta to the municipal office. Subsequently, they staged a dharna to press their demands.
Jukkal MLA Laxmikanth Rao, former DCCB chairman Pocharam Bhaskar Reddy and DCC president Ale Mallikarjun participated. Municipal Chairperson Ippa Umarani and several other Congress leaders also joined the protest.
Rahul Gandhi cases draw protest over Kharge issue
Addressing the gathering, Shabbir Ali said there was no place for caste discrimination or untouchability in the country. He also opposed practices that treated people as inferior.
He condemned reports that a venue attended by Kharge was later “purified” with Gangajal, allegedly because Kharge was 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.
He said Congress had consistently fought caste discrimination and would continue its campaign against such practices.
“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 issues concerning the public. He said questioning the government on behalf of people was Rahul Gandhi’s 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 The cases registered against him must be withdrawn immediately, and attempts to silence voices questioning the government must stop,” he said.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 also urged the Central and State governments to order a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged insult to Kharge. Furthermore, he demanded strict legal action against those found responsible.
Rahul Gandhi cases protest turns to BRS criticism
Shabbir Ali also targeted BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao during his address. He demanded that KCR resign as Leader of Opposition, alleging that he was inaccessible to people.
“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 KCR to explain what he had done for the constituency after contesting from there.
In addition, he questioned what issues concerning Kamareddy KCR had raised in the Assembly.
Shabbir Ali alleged that neither KCR nor BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao visited people affected by floods and heavy rains in the district.
He also questioned the BRS about its party funds. He asked how much financial assistance it had provided to Kamareddy residents despite reportedly having hundreds of crores of rupees in its account.
The Congress leader challenged the BRS to a public debate comparing its decade in government with the Congress administration’s first 1,000 days.
“We are ready to compare both governments on development, welfare, education, healthcare, farmers, women, youth and the poor,” Shabbir Ali said.
Congress leaders highlight welfare programmes
Shabbir Ali said the Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had implemented welfare and development programmes.
He cited support for farmers, free bus travel for women and free electricity among the government’s initiatives. He also referred to Indiramma houses and smart ration cards.
Moreover, Shabbir Ali said the government had made 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.
The MLA also asked Congress workers to take the State government’s welfare and development programmes to people.
Former DCCB chairman Pocharam Bhaskar Reddy alleged that the BRS had failed to fully implement its promises during its decade in power. In contrast, he said the Congress government was reaching out to people and addressing their problems.
Library chairman Chandrakanth Reddy and town Congress president Aireni Sandeep attended the programme. PCC general secretary Indrakaran Reddy was also present.
PACS chairmen Gudem Srinivas Reddy, Anthampalli Sudhakar Reddy, Bheem Reddy, Navasilal Naik and Anantha Reddy participated in the protest.
Congress mandal presidents Narender Reddy, Patha Raju, Ankam Krishnarao, Ashaboyina Srinivas and Raja Goud also attended. Other party leaders, elected representatives and workers joined the programme.