BRS women MLAs face police action during Assembly protest; Telangana

During the opening day of the Telangana Assembly’s Monsoon Session on Monday, September 7, a confrontation broke out between police and BRS legislators after the opposition MLAs arrived wearing black T-shirts carrying slogans against the Congress government’s 1,000-day rule.

Among the women BRS MLAs involved were former minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, V. Sunitha Laxma Reddy and Kova Lakshmi. Police stopped the legislators from entering the Assembly, citing the slogans printed on their T-shirts. The ensuing jostling turned tense, with BRS alleging that its women legislators were pushed and handled roughly.

Sunitha Laxma Reddy broke down outside the Assembly and alleged that police had treated her in an “inhuman” manner. BRS leaders also alleged that her sari was pulled during the confrontation. She was reportedly left with a minor injury after her feet were allegedly trampled during the scuffle. These allegations have not been independently established.

Sabitha Indra Reddy was seen consoling Sunitha, while she and Kova Lakshmi later joined other BRS legislators in a sit-in at the Assembly lobby entrance, protesting the police action.

Police denied allegations of indecent behaviour, saying the legislators were stopped because of the slogans on their T-shirts and that officers acted on the Speaker’s instructions. The police said any allegations of misconduct would be examined through available video footage.