Police complaints lodged against journalist for ‘offensive remarks’ against Amaravati women

Women and representatives of Amaravati JACs lodging a complaint at Mangalagiri Rural police station on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Women farmers and representatives of various Amaravati Joint Action Committees (JACs) lodged a police complaint at Mangalagiri Rural police station on Saturday (June 7, 2025), demanding action against journalist and political analyst V.V.R. Krishnam Raju for his alleged derogatory remarks against women from the capital region during a debate show aired on Sakshi TV.

They condemned the statement describing Amaravati as a “capital of prostitutes” and termed it an “outrageous insult” to the women who had parted with their land and participated in the historic capital movement.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Assembly Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju also lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) on Saturday (June 7, 2025), seeking action against Mr. Krishnam Raju for making derogatory remarks about Amaravati and the women of Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju condemned the reference to Amaravati as a “capital of prostitutes,” calling it a “disgraceful insult to the dignity of women”.

He said such remarks reflect not only a biased narrative but also a severe breach of journalistic ethics and humanitarian values.

The Deputy Speaker demanded that cases be registered against Mr. Krishnam Raju and senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao under IPC Sections 294, 354A, 500, 504, 505(2), and 509. He urged action against the television channel and the anchor involved, based on the telecast footage.

The complainants, including leaders from the Amaravati Mahila JAC, Dalit JAC, and Rythu JAC, demanding a public apology from Sakshi TV and strict legal action.

They alleged a targeted campaign by the YSRCP-supported media to defame Amaravati and disrupt its development. They accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP and his supporting media of demeaning women and stoking social tensions.

Akula Jaya Satya (Women JAC), Vemuri Babu (Dalit JAC), T. Sambasiva, A. Ravi Kiran and others (Farmer JAC) and other leaders lodged the complaint.

Lokesh condemns statements

Meanwhile, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said that such disgraceful comments reflect the YSRCP’s moral bankruptcy.

“Amaravati is the capital built on the sacrifices of mothers. Anyone who insults them has no place in our society,” he said.

Mr. Lokesh reaffirmed his commitment to women’s welfare and economic empowerment.

Published - June 08, 2025 04:32 am IST