Says Telangana’s Fourth Estate Under Renewed Attack
Hyderabad: The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday came down heavily on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for his shocking and derogatory remarks against young journalists, calling his outburst a direct attack on press freedom and an insult to the Fourth Estate.
BJP State Chief Spokesperson and Media In-charge N.V. Subash likened Revanth Reddy’s “arrogance and hostility” towards the media to that of his predecessor K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who had developed a notorious track record of insulting journalists during his time in power. “What KCR did over nine years, Revanth is attempting to replicate in just a few months. He has already become a threat to democratic discourse,” Subash said.
In a now-viral video from a recent public interaction, the Chief Minister is seen ridiculing young journalists and issuing veiled threats. He is heard saying:
“Young journalists don’t even know how to respect senior journalists. They sit in the front row and give me looks as if I should bow before them. Sometimes I feel like slapping them, but circumstances and position stop me.”
Subash termed the CM’s comments “unacceptable in a civilized democracy” and said they reveal a deeply disturbing mindset. “This is not the language of a responsible Chief Minister. This is the language of a street bully who cannot tolerate dissent.”
The BJP pointed out that this is not the first instance of the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government targeting the media. In March this year, two women journalists were arrested for publishing content critical of the Chief Minister and his family. At the time, Revanth Reddy had also threatened to take action against “fake journalists,” warning that “they would be stripped and beaten.”
“Is this how Revanth Reddy, who once claimed to have begun his career as a humble stringer for a vernacular daily, treats the very community he came from?” Subash asked.
“Today he talks about slapping and stripping journalists. Tomorrow, will he arrest all critics? Is this the Congress version of democracy?”
The BJP condemned the Chief Minister’s attempts to muzzle the press and divert attention from his administrative failures. “The youth are disillusioned, students are protesting, joblessness is rising, but instead of addressing these issues, Revanth Reddy is lashing out at those who dare question him,” Subash said.
He further said that the Chief Minister’s remarks have exposed the Congress party’s growing intolerance, which is also evident from Rahul Gandhi’s recent tirade against the Election Commission, where he alleged “vote theft” and threatened to release “atom bomb-level” proof—yet produced none.
“The Congress has a pattern: when cornered, they blame institutions and attack the media. But the people of Telangana will not remain silent. We will stand with journalists, and we will defend the right to question power,” Subash declared.
Subash was firmly of the opinion that today’s politicians—regardless of whether they are in power or opposition—must show restraint while dealing with aggressive journalists, and should guide them rather than issue veiled threats.”
The BJP demanded an immediate public apology from the Chief Minister and called upon civil society, media bodies, and press freedom advocates to unite in condemnation of such authoritarian behaviour.
“The BJP stands firmly with the media. A democracy where journalists are threatened is a democracy under siege,” Subash warned.
