BRS Leader KTR Says Youth Not Intimidated by Central Agencies
Hyderabad: K.T. Rama Rao, working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), stated on Wednesday that the youth of India are not intimidated by central investigative agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Addressing a protest at Indira Park, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognise the changing aspirations of young people and not underestimate their resolve.
Rao was speaking at a demonstration organised in solidarity with students protesting in New Delhi over the alleged leak of a competitive examination paper. He claimed that the student protests reflect deeper frustration over unemployment and unfulfilled promises by the central government, rather than being limited to the paper leak issue.
The BRS leader questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the examination controversy, suggesting that the government should engage with students and address their grievances instead of labelling protesters as anti-national or resorting to police action. He demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the withdrawal of criminal cases against student protesters, and an apology from the Centre for alleged excesses.
Rao also criticised the central government's employment record, asserting that the promise of creating two crore jobs annually had not been fulfilled. He accused the government of failing to ensure transparency in competitive examinations and used the phrase 'Leak in India' in a sarcastic reference to the 'Make in India' initiative.
In addition, Rao targeted the Telangana state government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He alleged that the state government was attempting to obstruct the BRS from raising the issue and questioned why it was not joining other opposition parties in demanding accountability from the Centre. He noted that Reddy did not join the protests led by his own party leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, suggesting a lack of commitment.
The BRS, which led the movement for Telangana statehood, would continue to support students and youth whenever their rights are threatened, Rao said. He added that BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao is closely monitoring developments and remains committed to issues concerning students.
The protests in New Delhi have drawn attention from multiple political parties, with many demanding a fair investigation into the examination paper leak and better employment opportunities.
