Published Jul 04, 2026 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 04, 2026 | 3:01 PM
Pawan Kalyan seen addressing the media.
Synopsis: Pawan Kalyan is ensuring the repeated arrests of YouTuber Joseph alias Raavan, South First has learnt. The deputy chief minister is not the Home Minister. His acting in this manner is foolhardy, betrays his ignorance of the law and is hitting the Telugu Desam hard.
Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan seems to consider the NDA-governed state his personal fiefdom.
The scant regard for law and the brazenness with which he is forcing police to go after his critics, even as he himself makes comments unbecoming of the position he holds, are emerging as areas of concern for the Telugu Desam-led government headed by Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
The latest issue is the series of arrests involving YouTuber Joseph alias Raavan, which has attracted nationwide attention for the way in which he is being taken into custody every time a magistrate grants him bail. It happened four times so far: arrest-bail, arrest-bail, arrest-bail and arrest again.
Raavan was first arrested in Hyderabad on June 30 for objectionable comments against Pawan Kalyan and his family. The next day, he was granted bail by the Pithapuram district court. He was arrested again, only to be given bail on July 2. An arrest followed in another case. Granted bail yet again, he was rearrested for a fourth time on the night of July 3.
Based on complaints by supporters of Jana Sena, Pawan’s party, cases were booked against Raavan in almost 20 police stations across Andhra Pradesh, according to reports.
Informed sources told South First that the deputy chief minister is personally calling up Station House Officers (SHOs) to make sure that they arrest Raavan as and when he gets bail. Parallelly, Jana Sena activists are following Raavan wherever he is taken (police stations/courts), making attempts to physically attack him.
Pawan Kalyan is not the Home Minister. In what capacity he is giving instructions to the police, that too in a case involving him, is baffling.
If he understands the concept of ‘conflict of interest’ in governance, Pawan should have left it to the police to deal with the cases in the manner they deem fit. And, if three magistrates have, on three consecutive days, refused to remand Raavan to judicial custody and granted him bail, the honourable deputy chief minister should realise that there are not enough grounds to send the accused to jail.
He would also do well to remember that being a deputy chief minister does not accord any special status to him—in the government scheme of things, he is just another minister.
Reckless in his comments, he warned critics of the government that they will be crushed and skinned if they crossed the line. On another occasion, he picked up a slipper, held it in his hand and told his audience (party workers) to slap anyone who attacks the government.
In the infamous recent custodial death of Sai Krishna, Pawan wondered why he should defend the victim. As deputy chief minister, he should have known that irrespective of the crime, police do not have the right to kill someone in custody, a fact that was acknowledged by the authorities sometime later. Where should he hide his face now that the Circle Inspector responsible for the custodial death has been arrested?
It is also important to recognise that Raavan’s comments, while indefensible, are a counter-reaction to what Pawan said. That said, the deputy chief minister’s arrogant outbursts demonstrate the belief he apparently holds that he is not a servant of the people but a ruler who has unbridled powers.
A non-serious politician who hardly attends even Cabinet meetings and takes little part in matters of governance, it will be instructive if Pawan Kalyan reads up a bit to know where he stands.
Back in 2014, the Supreme Court laid out two fundamental guidelines in the case between Arnesh Kumar and the State of Bihar: 1) police can arrest an accused only if they find valid reasons to believe the person will flee, is likely to tamper with evidence or threaten witnesses; 2) a magistrate cannot authorise detention mechanically. They must review the reasons to ensure that all procedural requirements, like notice of appearance, are strictly followed. In the case of Raavan, none of this has been followed.
Let’s look at the more recent observation of Bombay High Court judge Madhav Jamdar. Dealing with a case where a political activist has been externed from Mumbai for raising slogans like “Amit Shah murdabad” at a protest meeting, the judge reminded that “police are not servants of Prime Minister or Chief Minister.”
Telugu Desam leaders are now beginning to worry that the way in which Raavan, an Ambedkarite, is being hounded will affect the alliance in the future, given the massive backlash online. “Why should the Telugu Desam risk losing support from Dalits for Pawan Kalyan’s actions?” is the refrain.
While Pawan Kalyan’s influence is largely limited to the twin Godavari districts where his community, Kapus, are predominant, Dalits are in sizable numbers across Andhra Pradesh.
Perhaps, it is time Chandrababu Naidu steps in and drills some sense into his deputy. Lest the damage is Naidu’s because he is the face of the government.
Also Read: Two incidents and how they raise serious questions about Telangana government and police
(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
