Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief KT Rama Rao found himself in hot waters for making allegedly inappropriate remarks about women. On Friday, he appeared before the Telangana Women’s Commission after being summoned over this issue. Surprisingly, during his visit, some commission members tied a rakhi to him, sparking yet another controversy.
Women’s Commission Members Add Fuel to Fire
Upon KT Rama Rao’s visit, a few members of the Telangana Women’s Commission tied a rakhi to him. This gesture did not sit well with the Commission’s chairperson, Sharada Nerella. She considered their actions completely unbecoming and against the principles of impartiality the Commission stands for.
Sharada Nerella noted in a social media post that six members were involved in this “inappropriate act,” stating that such conduct raises questions about the Commission’s neutrality. The chairperson directed the Secretary to issue immediate notices to these members, calling for stern disciplinary action.
She stated, “Such behavior is not only unbecoming of the Commission members but also compromises the dignity and impartiality that we are bound to maintain.”
KT Rama Rao Apologizes
In the midst of this chaos, KT Rama Rao expressed regret and apologized for his previous comments regarding women traveling in state-run RTC buses. The Telangana Women’s Commission accepted his apology but advised him to be more cautious in the future.
KT Rama Rao explained, “I personally appeared before the Telangana State Women’s Commission as directed by the Chairperson Sharada Nerella. I expressed regret for my remarks made without any intention of offending women.”
He added insights into the rising attacks on women in the last eight months after the Congress government took charge in the state, which provided additional context to his previous comments.
KTR’s comments were viral on social media and kicked off a political storm in Telangana (File)
KTR’s Controversial Remarks
On August 15, KT Rama Rao addressed his party workers and mentioned women taking advantage of the state’s free bus travel scheme. He said women on these buses could “do break dances” if they wished, and the BRS had no problem with women knitting on the bus, as long as it was safe. These comments did not go over well and soon went viral, causing a political stir in Telangana.
Women’s rights activists, political foes, and the general public condemned his remarks. Telangana Minister Danasari Anasuya, popularly known as Seethakka, demanded an unconditional apology from KTR. She questioned his cultural upbringing, saying, “Is this the culture of respect your father taught you?”
Public Reaction and Apology
Reacting to the backlash, KT Rama Rao posted an apology on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He stated that his intentions were never to offend women and expressed regret if his words had caused any harm.
“I am sorry if our sisters were offended by the comments made in the party meeting yesterday. I never meant to offend my sisters,” KTR posted.
The Telangana Women’s Commission did not take his comments lightly and initiated their own investigation into the matter.
Analyzing the Fallout
This episode not only raised questions regarding the conduct of public figures but also the impartiality of government commissions. The act of tying a rakhi by the commission members was seen as an inappropriate gesture that compromised their neutrality.
As the political storm continues, KTR’s apology and the subsequent actions by the Telangana Women’s Commission reflect how statements and actions by public officials are under tight scrutiny, especially in today’s digital age where news and reactions spread rapidly.
In conclusion, the incident involving KT Rama Rao and the Telangana Women’s Commission highlights significant issues surrounding political decorum and the impartiality of governing bodies. As events continue to unfold, this story serves as an important reminder of the sensitivities involved in public discourse and governance.
