Andhra Pradesh Government Accused of Curbing Free Speech

YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of using the police to curb dissent and suppress opposition voices. According to Reddy, the police machinery is being used as a political tool to create an atmosphere of fear among citizens who question the government.

Reddy alleged that the government is engaging in a systematic campaign of political vendetta, intimidation, and institutional misuse of power against social media activists, YSRCP supporters, journalists, and citizens who expose government failures.

The alleged modus operandi involves TDP leaders and supporters filing complaints against social media posts that criticize the government, leading to police registration of cases under questionable legal provisions.

The Police Department is also allegedly sending notices to social media platforms to remove content critical of TDP leaders and seeking the blocking or suspension of accounts that expose government failures.

The Andhra Pradesh government has not yet responded to these allegations, but the YSRCP president has demanded that the government immediately stop abusing police power. The issue is likely to be taken up further by the opposition and may lead to increased tensions between the government and opposition parties.