Published Apr 08, 2026 | 8:43 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 08, 2026 | 8:43 AM
ABN Andhra Jyothy .
Synopsis: YSRCP workers protested at the offices of ABN Andhra Jyothi in Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh, condemning alleged disparaging remarks against women made by its managing director. The alleged remarks, targeting YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, drew sharp criticism from YSRCP leaders and cadres, who termed them “derogatory,” “misogynistic,” and an affront to women.
Tensions flared on Tuesday, 7 April, as workers of the Opposition YSRCP staged protests at the office of Telugu daily ABN Andhra Jyothy in Hyderabad and at multiple locations across Andhra Pradesh, condemning alleged disparaging remarks against women made by its managing director, Vemuri Radhakrishna.
The protests were triggered by comments attributed to Radhakrishna during a television broadcast, in which he allegedly suggested that if YSRCP President and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asked his followers to treat their wives as sisters, they would blindly comply and even seek marriage alliances accordingly.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from YSRCP leaders and cadres, who termed them “derogatory,” “misogynistic,” and an affront to women.
A large number of YSRCP workers gathered outside the ABN Andhra Jyothy office in Hyderabad, raising slogans against the media house and its chairman. Protesters burned copies of the newspaper and placards bearing Radhakrishna’s image. The demonstrators demanded immediate action against him and an unconditional apology.
The protest turned tense as police personnel deployed at the location attempted to prevent agitators from entering the premises. According to party sources, a YSRCP MLA, T Chandrasekhar from Yerragondapalem, was allegedly manhandled during the scuffle. Police eventually used force to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
Similar protests were reported in Kukatpally, Hyderabad, where party workers took out rallies and raised slogans condemning the remarks.
The agitation was not confined to Hyderabad. YSRCP cadres staged demonstrations in several districts of Andhra Pradesh, echoing the demand for action against Radhakrishna. Party leaders, including Viswaroop, Sankar Narayana, Lella Appireddy, and Gadikota Srikanth Reddy, participated in protests.
Protesters questioned whether such remarks targeting women could be justified under the ambit of freedom of the press. They alleged that sections of the media had launched a sustained offensive against the YSRCP and crossed ethical boundaries by resorting to personal and gender-based insults.
Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly condemned the comments in a post on X, expressing “disgust and deep displeasure”. He described the remarks as “repulsive” and said dragging women into political discourse in such a manner was not criticism but a “demeaning attack.”
He further alleged that the comments reflected the “partisan journalism” being practised by certain media outlets aligned with the ruling establishment.
Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that the controversy was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from political issues, including the party’s “MAVIGUN” proposal, which he said the ruling dispensation was unable to counter politically.
MAVIGUN is an acronym for Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, and Guntur corridor, which Jagan wants developed as the capital of Andhra Pradesh instead of “impractical” Amaravati.
The former chief minister stated that the party organised protests demanding strict action and an unconditional apology, while asserting that its cadre exercised restraint and adhered to democratic values.
He also criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nara Lokesh, accusing them of backing the remarks. He termed their stance as indicative of a “misogynistic attitude.”
Rubbing salt into the injury, Chief Minister Naidu condemned the protests targeting ABN Andhra Jyothy office, describing them as a direct assault on media freedom.
In a statement, Naidu said the attack was carried out because the media organisation had questioned Jagan Mohan Reddy’s stand on Amaravati. He accused the YSRCP of attempting to intimidate independent media through protests and threats, while allegedly misusing its own media platforms to disseminate slanted political views.
The chief minister remarked that the participation of sitting MLAs and former ministers in such protests reflected what he called the party’s “unruly culture.” He added that despite facing pressure and alleged harassment during the previous YSRCP government, ABN Andhra Jyothy had continued to function without fear.
Naidu also praised Radhakrishna for running the organisation “fearlessly” for decades despite facing cases and attacks. He asserted that attempts to suppress media through intimidation had no place in a democratic society and that such tactics were outdated.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
