Hyderabad, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Telangana’s Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka expressed strong disapproval of comments and behavior directed at Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar by opposition BRS members. He described the incident as a permanent stain on democracy, emphasizing that it was not merely an insult to an individual, but a severe affront to the entire assembly.
While addressing the assembly, the Deputy CM fully supported a resolution presented by Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha. He articulated that the person occupying the Speaker’s chair symbolizes the dignity, freedom, and democratic functioning of the house. Disrespecting the Speaker equates to disrespecting the entire assembly, he asserted.
Vikramarka reminded the assembly that Gaddam Prasad Kumar was elected Speaker by members from all parties and entrusted with the responsibility of managing the house’s proceedings. He noted that while Kumar’s Dalit background is a point of pride, it is inappropriate to view him solely as a “Dalit Speaker.” He stressed, “He is the Speaker for the entire assembly.”
The Deputy CM claimed that the incident exemplifies that the BRS has not moved past its feudal mindset. The mistreatment of Kumar, who hails from the Dalit community, reveals the true nature of the BRS, he argued. Vikramarka accused the BRS leadership of orchestrating schemes out of an inability to accept losing power and a desire to regain control over the state.
He expressed suspicion that the chaos in the assembly was not an isolated event and suggested a larger conspiracy might be at play. He alleged that a meeting of the BRS legislative party took place at a farmhouse the day before the assembly session, which he referred to as a “farmhouse conspiracy,” where plans to attack democracy were allegedly devised. He claimed that some BRS legislators acted on the orders of those plotting, while the main orchestrators were the top BRS leadership.
Vikramarka also criticized the BRS members who wore slogan-emblazoned T-shirts and black shirts to the assembly. He pointed out that rules established during the previous BRS government prohibit wearing badges and other protest signs inside the house.
“It is strange that BRS members oppose enforcing rules they themselves established,” he remarked. He questioned the justification for using derogatory and unparliamentary language against the Speaker, who was merely enforcing the house’s rules.
The Deputy CM expressed outrage over inappropriate comments made about the Speaker’s mother. He emphasized that this issue transcends the Dalit community, touching on the culture, values, and respect for women in Telangana society. He noted that the government is implementing various programs for women’s economic and political empowerment, making any disrespectful remarks, especially towards the Speaker’s mother, deeply regrettable and unacceptable.
Vikramarka recalled his own experience of spending ten years in the opposition. He stated that even when he was denied the opportunity to speak or was barred from entering the assembly, he maintained respect for democracy and the Speaker’s position.
“When I was not given the mic or was stopped from entering the house, I never resorted to using foul language. We respected the Speaker’s position,” he said.
He accused the BRS of undermining the very spirit of democracy. He warned that forces conspiring in this manner pose a threat to democracy and called on the assembly to clearly condemn the alleged “farmhouse conspiracy.” He lamented that following the incident involving the Speaker, BRS leaders showed no remorse. Repeatedly targeting the Speaker’s chair and creating situations where members aggressively confront the Speaker is detrimental to democracy.
Vikramarka reminded that Telangana was born from a struggle for self-respect. He noted that the people of Telangana have fought against discrimination and humiliation for decades. He warned, “In Telangana, born from such struggles, we will not tolerate any attempts to revive feudal thinking or the mindset of landlords and dominant classes.”
He stated that the Constitution, as envisioned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, emphasizes social, economic, and political justice, as well as the freedom of thought and expression, equality, and the dignity of the individual. Any discrimination and humiliation that violate these constitutional values are against the spirit of democracy.
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