The right to question, protest, and assemble forms the bedrock of democracy, empowering citizens to freely express their grievances and demand accountability. In Andhra Pradesh, however, this fundamental democratic process is being ruthlessly crushed under the weight of an authoritarian regime led by Chandrababu Naidu. Through blatant misuse of police power, it stifles dissent and creates a chilling atmosphere akin to a police state or dictatorship. Every attempt by the public or opposition to raise legitimate concerns is met with repression, harassment, and fabricated legal cases, leaving no room for dissent. This deliberate assault on democratic freedom is an attack on the very essence of democracy in the state.
The intent is clear: to obscure the systematic suppression of the opposition, the public, and democratic processes.
Specific instances reveal this suppression of democracy.
1. Mirchiyard, Guntur (Feb 19, 2025): I met mirchi farmers to address their plight, as they face denial of remunerative prices and a drastic drop in mirchi prices from Rs 27,000 to Rs 8,000 per quintal. 1 case was filed.
2. Ramagiri (April 8, 2025): I visited Rapthadu constituency to console the family of Kuruba Lingamaiah, a backward class (BC) leader of YSRCP who was brutally murdered by TDP followers in Ramagiri. One case was filed, including on Rapthadu constituency YSRCP coordinator Thopadurthi Prakash Reddy.
3. Podili (June 11, 2025): I met tobacco farmers to address the coalition government's failure to provide remunerative prices, despite a 20% increase in cultivation on the advice of the tobacco board and a drastic fall in tobacco prices. 3 cases filed, with 15 farmers jailed, and 4 others arrested, but thanks to the courts, who denied remand.
4. Sattenapalli (June 18, 2025): When I visited to console the family who committed suicide due to police misconduct, the state responded with 5 cases, with 131 notices issued, and 2 remanded for displaying a movie poster.
5. Bangarupalyam (July 9, 2025): My visit to support mango farmers triggered the filing of five cases. Over 20 people are currently in police custody, yet they have not been officially shown as arrested for the past two days, nor have they been produced before the court.
In every instance, the authorities list three or four named individuals alongside vague references to “others,” allowing them to arbitrarily target more people later. During my every visit, the police are putting all their efforts to curtail the movement of the people. YSRCP leaders and party workers are being issued notices in advance, and in many cases, they are being detained at their homes to prevent them from joining the events. Even farmers are being stopped, questioned, and video recorded at multiple checkpoints. These repressive tactics, including lathi charges and restrictions on public gatherings, show the government is misusing police machinery to silence the opposition and intimidate dissent through legal harassment.
Despite numerous harassments, the only opposition party in this state is responsibly addressing public issues through its programs. Chandrababu Naidu's actions through fabricated cases, arrests, and media manipulation reveal a desperate attempt to cling to power by suffocating democratic expression. Chandrababu Naidu is silencing the voiceless, eroding the very democratic fabric, leaving citizens with no avenue to challenge injustice or demand their rights, in spite of broken promises of misgovernance by the current regime.
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