Dalit youth allegedly beaten in Tenali: Rights activists demand action

Andhra Pradesh: Rights activists and community leaders staged a protest at Dr. B R Ambedkar’s statue in Tenali Aitanagaram on Wednesday, condemning an alleged incident of police brutality against Dalit and minority youths. They demanded immediate suspension of the officers involved and urged the state government to respond to what they called a growing pattern of caste-based violence.

Protest at Dr. B R Ambedkar statue in Tenali

Representatives from various Dalit, farmers’, and workers’ organizations gathered in Tenali Aitanagaram to protest the alleged police assault. The demonstration took place at the statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar and included leaders from KVPS, MRPS, VCK, and other social justice groups.

Notable participants included KVPS State General Secretary Andra Malyadri, District Convener Jonnakooti Naveen, Agricultural Workers Association Secretary Emani Apparao, Farmers Association leader Mulakapudi Sambireddy, AP MRPS State General Secretary Perupogu Venkateswara Rao, VCK State President NJ Vidyasagar, and Dalit leaders Nallapu Neelambaram, Gurram Rama Rao, Karumanchi Sunil, Parre Kotaiah, and others.

Allegations of brutality and human rights violations

Addressing the media, KVPS State General Secretary Andra Malyadri condemned the incident, calling the police action in Aitanagaram “inhuman” and a clear violation of human rights. “Only the court holds the authority to punish the accused. Assaulting individuals in custody is unacceptable,” he said.

Malyadri demanded the immediate suspension of the officers involved and criticized the silence of state authorities in the face of repeated caste-based incidents. He noted that Dalit and minority communities are increasingly being targeted, especially after the coalition government assumed power.

Citing a pattern of caste-based violence

Malyadri highlighted recent incidents to illustrate a concerning pattern, including:

The social boycott of Dalits in Mallam, under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Chief Minister.
Attacks in Nakkapalli, represented by the State Home Minister.
The disruption of a procession with Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait in K Bitragunta, falling under the State Social Welfare Minister’s constituency.

He said these incidents reflect a disturbing trend of institutional indifference and called for accountability.

Call for political and legal intervention

Malyadri urged Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who had earlier pledged to speak out fearlessly, and Tenali MLA Nadendla Manohar to respond to the Tenali incident without delay. He further announced that complaints would be submitted to the State SC Commission and Human Rights Commission.

The protestors insisted that justice for the assaulted youths is non-negotiable and urged the government to uphold constitutional values and human dignity.