Tadepalli, September 16: YSRCP spokesperson Konda Rajiv Gandhi said an “undeclared emergency” was prevailing in Andhra Pradesh, with the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government using police machinery to suppress criticism, monitor youth and curb social-media voices questioning its policies.
Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office, he said the government was trying to implement G.O. No. 9 in a manner that threatened democratic rights. Questioning the government, holding protests and demanding implementation of election promises were constitutional rights, he said, adding that students and unemployed youth were only seeking jobs, recruitment notifications and the unemployment allowance promised to them. Monitoring their movements, social-media activity and protests must stop immediately.
Rajiv Gandhi demanded that the Student JAC's recruitment notifications be issued and that selections be conducted transparently, without any scope for backdoor appointments. He said youth need not fear intimidation and that YSRCP, under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, would stand firmly with students and unemployed youth fighting injustice.
He also asked Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to respond. “You said you entered politics to question those in power. Why are you silent when questioning voices are being suppressed?” he asked, demanding withdrawal of orders relating to surveillance and restrictions on youth.
Rajiv Gandhi said the police system was being turned into a “political censorship organisation”, with action directed against posts critical of the government. Referring to takedown requests sent to X, he demanded answers from Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha over the use of the FBI name in communications originating from Andhra Pradesh Police.
He asked who authorised the use of the FBI name, which posts were sought to be removed and what legal provisions justified the requests, noting that X had clarified that the takedown request had not come from the US FBI.
“The government may try to restrict social media and protests, but the questioning voice among youth has already begun,” Rajiv Gandhi said.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu Garu, is this policing
