Kamareddy, September 5: Telangana Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded the immediate withdrawal of cases registered against Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, describing them as “illegal”.
He also sought stringent action against those responsible for allegedly insulting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Congress staged a massive 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 before staging a dharna. Jukkal MLA Laxmikanth Rao, former DCCB chairman Pocharam Bhaskar Reddy, DCC president Ale Mallikarjun and Municipal Chairperson Ippa Umarani were among those who participated.
Shabbir Ali Condemns Alleged Insult to Mallikarjun Kharge
Addressing the gathering, Shabbir Ali said there was no place for caste discrimination, untouchability or practices that treat people as inferior.
He condemned reports that a venue attended by Kharge was later “purified” with Gangajal, allegedly because he is 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 the 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 also accused the BJP-led Central government of attempting to suppress Rahul Gandhi for raising public issues.
He said questioning the government on behalf of the people was Rahul Gandhi’s democratic right and demanded that the cases against him be withdrawn immediately.
He further urged the Central and State governments to order a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged incident involving Kharge and take strict legal action against those responsible.
Shabbir Ali Targets KCR and BRS
Turning 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 was inaccessible to the people despite holding the Opposition post.
“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 what he had done for the constituency after contesting from there and what local issues he 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 and asked how much financial assistance had been provided to affected residents despite the party reportedly having substantial funds.
He challenged the BRS to a public debate comparing its 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.
Shabbir Ali said the Congress government under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was implementing welfare and development programmes. These include support for farmers, free bus travel for women, free electricity, 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 was against democratic values. He maintained that attempts to suppress voices raising public issues would not succeed.
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.
Several Congress leaders, elected representatives and party workers attended the protest.
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