Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan criticised social media abusers, urging action against them, despite their claims of free expression. Meanwhile, authorities have already initiated FIRs, notices, and arrests targeting YSRCP sympathisers in the state
Published Nov 15, 2024 | 2:50 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 15, 2024 | 2:50 PM
The crackdown on YSRCP's social media sympathizers is becoming a cause for concern in Andhra Pradesh
Recently, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan went on a tirade against social media abusers while speaking at an event. Lamenting that their abuse cannot pass under the garb of their freedom of expression, he expressed frustration at the police, calling for action.
However, there is already a wave of FIRs, notices and arrests in Andhra Pradesh against social media sympathisers of the YSRCP.
Taking to X, Rajya Sabha YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy stated that the Andhra Pradesh police had their priorities misplaced.
“Amid rising crimes against women and increasing cyber crimes, the Andhra Pradesh police is diverting significant resources to further TDP’s political agenda — serving notices to 680 YCP social media activists, filing 147 cases, and arresting 49,” he claimed.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also held a press conference on 6 November to raise concerns about the detention of social media activists of the YSRCP.
“This abuse of police power is unpardonable. It is a violation of fundamental rights and a direct assault on the Constitution,” he stated.
It was a reactionary press conference to over 86 FIRs against various social media activists in the state.
The priorities of the AP Police are misplaced. Amid rising crimes against women and increasing cybercrimes, the AP police is diverting significant resources to further TDP’s political agenda—serving notices to 680 YCP social media activists, filing 147 cases, and arresting 49…
— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) November 14, 2024
Alok (name changed), a student activist from the Prakasam district, was among many social media users detained.
“The police detained me at about half past five in the morning. I was on the way to the temple with two other friends. They showed me a notice including the ‘offensive’ post I made and took me to the Markapuram Police Station,” he said.
His “offensive post” was a question regarding the government’s spending on the recent flood relief. “The police informed me that they followed me for three days. They kept me at the station till 12.30 am on 6 November,” he said, adding that they treated him well.
He like many other YSRCP social media activists is anxious about revealing his identity. Similarly, numerous other people booked in the cases have become unreachable via phone.
Induri Ravi Kiran is a YSRCP social media activist named in nine cases statewide. The police are transporting him to multiple locations quickly. Speaking to the press outside Maharanipeta police station on 11 November, he revealed that he was in Duvvada a day earlier, and would be in Rajamahendravaram the next day.
Following allegations of mistreatment by the Rajamahendravaram police, Jagan expressed solidarity with the activist, showing support for Ravi Kiran’s wife, Sujana.
Khaja Baba worked under Sajjala Bhargav Reddy, a YSRCP social media activist. “He was the only hope for his father, a horticultural labourer. He joined work when he was promised a ₹30,000 salary,” Mohammed Khaja, his cousin told South First.
“The police took him into custody on 3 November regarding an alleged offensive post in Gudivada. They let him go the next day with a 41A notice. However, they took him into custody again on 6 November, detaining him at the Machilipatnam SP’s office,” he detailed.
Subsequently, the police presented him at the Gudivada Court on 8 November, remanding him in the Machilpatnam sub-jail the same night.
“From there, the police took him to Rajamahendravaram on 11 November. He kept getting cases against him in multiple locations. After enquiring him about a fresh case in Rajamahendravaram, they moved him to the central jail there,” Baba explained.
“However, today when I went to see him at the Rajamahendravaram jail, they told me that my brother wasn’t there. They refused to tell me where they took him. The whole family is concerned, but there’s nothing we can do about it despite the YSRCP’s help,” he reported.
He opined that it was inappropriate to prosecute an employee instead of taking up the issues with the boss, Sajjala Bhargav Reddy.
On 13 November, the police issued a lookout notice for Sajjala Bhargav Reddy in a case under the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly abusing a person based on caste.
In another off-beat case, 171 villagers in Pendyala were served with summons notices on 5 November. The 171 members were part of a WhatsApp group called “Pendyala MPP Group.”
In the group was one Sheik Shabeer, a social media activist who has allegedly shared offensive material on the group.
While the villagers were not in trouble, they were all called to testify against Shabeer. Interestingly, Shabeer also had an assault case against him for beating up a Jana Sena party worker.
“The first instances of YSRCP social media activists organising around an abusive attitude began after the Court’s verdict against the three capitals a couple of years back,” DIG Koya Praveen observed at a press meet on 12 November.
“Since then, they’ve posted derogatory comments and material against judges, women, and children rampantly,” he explained. “We have identified 45 such individuals and 40 handles,” he reported.
He added that they would be prosecuted under charges of, organised crime, extortion, criminal intimidation, and outraging the modesty of women.
Varra Ravindra Reddy was another social media activist who was arrested over his social media posts.
Speaking to the reporters, Obul Reddy, his lawyer detailed the treatment of Ravindra in custody. “The police tortured Ravindra and got a forced confession out of him,” he stated.
He added that Ravindra showed his injuries to the magistrate as well.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
