Social media posts by activists and YSRCP sympathisers allegedly targeted wives and daughters of TDP leaders, including CM N Chandrababu Naidu’s wife.
According to reports, the Andhra Pradesh Police arrested 49 people, registered 147 cases, and issued 680 notices to YSRCP sympathizers. These actions followed allegations that the individuals had posted derogatory content about the family members of TDP leaders.
A TDP spokesperson said the massive crackdown is for “crossing a line” in their criticism of the state government and TDP leaders. The police have booked many individuals under the IT Act for morphing images and posting derogatory content. Additionally, authorities have registered cases under sections related to promoting enmity between different groups, defamation, public mischief, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
Police sources told The Indian Express they mined social media posts from various districts that allegedly targeted state ministers, their wives and daughters. Among the targets of defamatory posts include state home minister Anitha, Naidu’s wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s daughters, TDP MLA and actor Balakrishna’s wife Vasundhara, state Congress party president YS Sharmila and her mother YS Vijayamma.
Controversy Surrounds YSRCP Member’s Social Media Posts, Sparks Political Backlash
Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen stated that one of the accused, Ravinder Reddy, serves as a YSRCP co-convener and manages the party’s social media accounts. He further explained that Reddy’s actions promote division and disrupt social harmony. Additionally, Praveen revealed that Reddy oversees numerous YouTube channels that specifically target women leaders with vulgar content.
YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, in response, accused the state government of engaging in “vendetta politics” and attacking the constitutional right to free speech. Moreover, he argued that by suppressing these voices, the government is not only undermining democracy but also violating the basic rights that are guaranteed to every citizen. This, he emphasized, marks a dangerous trend of silencing dissent under the guise of law and order.
TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy stated that these social media posts “crossed a line.” He further argued that while the state government initially ignored such posts, they became “belligerent” over time. Reddy explained, “Their social media posts have degenerated into sexually vulgar comments about individuals like Home Minister V Anitha. This behavior is completely below the belt, and this crackdown is the result of their own actions. In fact, people have grown fed up and are now lodging police complaints.”
