BRS leader Singireddy Somashekhar Reddy detained along with activists; questions raised over alleged discrimination
CHERLAPALLY, April 16: Tensions prevailed at Cherlapalli bus stand after unidentified persons removed statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, and Babu Jagjivan Ram that had been installed four days ago. The incident, which reportedly took place late Wednesday night, triggered protests by various organizations on Thursday morning. Leaders and activists from Dalit groups and other associations staged a protest under the leadership of BRS state leader Singireddy Somashekhar Reddy. Demonstrators raised slogans against the police and questioned what they described as discriminatory treatment. Police intervened and detained around 20 protesters, including Somashekhar Reddy, and shifted them to Ghatkesar Police Station. Speaking during the protest, activists questioned why there were no restrictions on the statue of Raj Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy while objections were being raised over the Ambedkar statue. They alleged bias and demanded equal respect for leaders representing marginalized communities. The protesters condemned the removal of the statues and termed it unjust. They warned that the agitation would continue until the statues were reinstalled and stated that they were prepared to launch a state-wide protest if necessary. Those detained include Nemuri Mahesh Goud, Dappu Giribabu, Kommu Nursing Rao, Kadiyala Suresh, KVLN Rao, Kommu Suresh, Kadiyala Nagesh, Kadiyala Anil Kumar, Kommu Ramesh, Bojja Pavan, Edla Somayya, Ponnala Suresh, Kommu Shivaraj, Vijayraj and others. Former HB Colony corporator Jarripothula Prabhudas visited the police station and expressed support for the detained protesters.