Speaking on the spike in crimes against women in Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan urged Home Minister Anita Vangalapudi to be more responsible, else he would take over the Ministry.
Published Nov 04, 2024 | 7:31 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2024 | 7:31 PM
Asking AP Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita to take more responsiblity, Dy CM Pawan Kalyan said things would be different if he was the Home Minister
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan took on Home Minister Anita Vangalapudi, demanding her to be more responsible.
Addressing a meeting in his constituency Pithapuram on Monday, 4 November, Kalyan warned the TDP leader not to force him to take over the home portfolio.
He was speaking about the spike in crimes against women in the state. The Jana Sena leader sought quick and effective solutions to the problem, saying things will be different if became the home minister.
“If I become the Home Minister, the situations will be very different,” #AndhraPradesh Deputy Chief Minister @PawanKalyan said at an event.
“I don’t understand why the police are afraid. Are the politicians only here for votes and not their duties?” he asked. Expressing… pic.twitter.com/SFq0jBjfhJ
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 4, 2024
Speaking at Pithapuram Zilla Parishad High School, Kalyan unveiled his plans for the constituency. Listing the past, ongoing, and future projects, he assured that he would make it a model constituency.
Additionally, he interacted with numerous sections of society, including those physically challenged and silk farmers.
Yet, it is his response to the query of Rekha, a woman in attendance that garnered the most attention from both Kalyan and the public. “She asked me what our government was doing for the protection of women,” Kalyan revealed.
“First, we need to understand how we got here. How did public morale fell in the face of rampant crimes against women,” he said. “The spike in crimes in the state is the legacy that the previous YSRCP government has left behind,” he declared.
Adding that the onus also lies on the police, he said: “Even when my entire family got rape threats, the police did nothing. When one can make rape threats against Pawan Kalyan, a well-protected personality, and get away, others will actually commit the crimes.”
“Even when Nirbhaya incident happened, the country was angry demanding death for the perpetrators. The public celebrate encounters or hangings of such perpetrators as they demand justice. However, it is also important to step away from the punishment and address the issue’s root cause. That’s why I’ve vehemently demanded robust law and order in the state since coming to power,” he explained.
He noted that even this demand was met with challenges. “Following the YSRCP regime, even the police have stopped taking law enforcement seriously. When people make rape threats online, they defend it as their right to free expression. When they have to take action against rapists they become hesitant because of caste and religion. This creates a complacent setting that promotes such heinous crimes,” he said, adding that a criminal has no identity apart from being a criminal.
Referring to the rape of a three-year-old in Tirupati, he said that such atrocities are a response to the government’s message of weakness. “Despite strong laws, there are still rape threats and profane deepfakes circulating on the internet,” Kalyan stated.
“I’m even asking Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita. You are the home minister and you should take more responsibility,” Kalyan appealed.
He added that he is just the Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Environment, and Forest Minister. “If I take over as the Home Minister, the situation will be different,” he claimed.
Addressing the home minister, he stated: “If you are still complacent regarding this (women’s safety), I will have to take over (as Home Minister).”
“Why is it that the safety of women here is far worse than in places like Dubai and Singapore?” he questioned, attributing their safe environment to strong law enforcement.
“If it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us,” he declared. “Terming rape threats online freedom of expression is inappropriate,” he added. “I tell the police and other officials that the people are scolding me. What use is the police if they cannot act on such crimes,” he asked.
“It’s not like I can’t take over the home ministry,” he said, reaffirming that the conditions would be different if he was in charge. “For the kind of brazen criminals in the state today, we need Yogi Adityanath’s approach to curb crimes,” he opined.
Kalyan proceeded to question all the elected representatives of the state. “Are leaders meant only to ask for votes and not to fulfil their responsibilities?” he questioned.
Adding that women in welfare hostels were living in poor and exploitative conditions, he asked: “How many NDA representatives visited them?” he asked addressing all three parties, TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena.
He also warned people to control themselves or face the consequences.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
