KTR Condemns Arrest Of Journalists Leaders Over Accreditation Protest
Hyderabad Dec 27 (Maxim News) : BRS working president K T Rama Rao on Tuesday strongly condemned the arrest of journalist union leaders who went to submit peaceful representations on journalists issues.
KTR said the government illegally arrested TUWJ TJF leaders who approached authorities with memoranda. He said the action was not limited to arrests alone. Instead, he said it reflected an attempt to silence journalists who question the government. Therefore, he described the move as an attack on democracy.
Addressing the media, KTR said the government is using police force to suppress dissenting voices. He said cuts in journalist accreditations under the guise of a new government order violate basic rights. Moreover, he said attacking those who raise questions signals authoritarian governance. Hence, he accused the government of undermining democratic values.
KTR remarked that the government came to power with six guarantees. However, he said the seventh guarantee now appears to be the arrest of journalists. Therefore, he questioned the sincerity of promises made in the name of democratic protection.
Journalist accreditation arrests spark political backlash
KTR said the government should grant new journalist accreditations to reporters working tirelessly at the grassroots. Instead, he said authorities cancelled existing accreditations. As a result, journalists face threats to their livelihood and self respect. He said this approach hurts both professional dignity and press freedom.
He demanded immediate withdrawal of the government order issued against journalist interests. He said the order contradicts the aspirations of the journalistic community. Moreover, he stressed that policy decisions must protect freedom of expression. Therefore, he urged the government to revoke the order without delay.
KTR described the arrest of union leaders as shocking. He named Maruti Sagar, Ramesh Hajari, Yoganand, Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Ramana Kumar, and Kadakanchi Venkat. He said arresting such leaders sends a dangerous signal. Consequently, he said the government must review its actions.
He also demanded the withdrawal of what he called illegal cases filed against journalists. He said the administration should end restrictions imposed on the media. Furthermore, he said peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Hence, he urged authorities to respect democratic norms.
KTR assured that the BRS party will stand firmly with journalists. He said the party will support the struggle for restoration of journalist accreditations. Moreover, he said BRS will oppose any attempt to curb press freedom. Therefore, he pledged continued political backing.
He concluded that a strong democracy needs a free press. He said governments must accept scrutiny. Meanwhile, he warned that suppressing journalists will only deepen public mistrust. The journalist accreditation arrests have now intensified political debate across Telangana. (Maxim News)
