Hyderabad : The Telangana Legislative Assembly witnessed a significant escalation in political tensions on Tuesday, resulting in the suspension of 22 Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs for the remainder of the current monsoon session. The disciplinary action followed persistent disruptions in the House as opposition members staged protests regarding the alleged mistreatment of female legislators by police personnel.
Among those suspended were prominent party figures, including BRS working president KT Rama Rao and former minister T Harish Rao. The atmosphere remained charged as the session continued, with the focus shifting to broader social and political grievances that have further deepened the divide between the ruling government and the opposition benches.
Controversy over farmhouse purification sparks further debate:
The legislative proceedings were further complicated on Wednesday when Minister Adluri Laxman raised objections regarding a recent incident at the Erravalli farmhouse in Siddipet district, which belongs to BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao. Reports indicated that following a protest by SC groups at the site, the area was subjected to a ritual involving the sprinkling of turmeric water, an act described by the minister as a form of purification.
Minister Laxman argued that such actions constitute an insult to the Dalit community and requested a formal discussion on the matter within the House. This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, who publicly condemned the act, stating that the government would not tolerate what he termed as feudal tendencies.
Legislative deadlock continues:
The remarks from the treasury benches prompted an immediate and vocal response from the remaining BRS members, who intensified their protests by raising slogans and demanding an official apology for the earlier allegations concerning the police’s conduct toward women legislators. The situation reached a stalemate as the opposition continued to press for accountability.
Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar addressed the protesting members, questioning the propriety of their actions in the well of the House. He advised the legislators that if they wished to pursue the matter formally, they must submit their grievances in writing for consideration. As of Wednesday, the impasse between the BRS and the ruling administration persisted, leaving the remainder of the monsoon session marked by significant parliamentary friction.
