Civil society organisations and individuals have issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the arrest of TJAC chairperson M. Kodandaram and others, and called it a ‘black day’ in the history of Telangana.
Addressing a press meet, academic Rama Melkote, S. Jeevan Kumar from Human Rights Forum, K. Ravi from Telangana Rythu JAC, K. Sajaya and Ashalatha from Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch, and Vissa Kiran from Rythu Swarajya Vedika demanded that the Telangana government hold a genuine dialogue with the citizens and people’s organisations for solving people’s problems. They also demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting HC judge on the actions of the government with regard to the disruption of the rally demanding jobs on Wednesday.
The TJAC gave a call for the rally and dharna a month before the designated date, and lawfully applied for police permission for the same. However, the government used police force to obstruct people’s democratic right to assemble and voice their protest.
The demand for jobs has been one of the central demands that drove the Telangana movement and it was expected that the Telangana government would take comprehensive steps to ensure better employment for the youth of Telangana, the statement, also signed by academics G. Haragopal and Chukka Ramaiah, said.
Through a press release on Wednesday, the CPI Telangana State Council condemned the midnight arrest of Prof. Kodandaram and said it showed the undemocratic and vengeful attitude of the government. Besides release of those arrested, the party also demanded job calendar, DSC notification and regularisation of contract and outsourcing employees.
Other left parties too, including CPI(M), CPI(ML), CPI(ML) New Democracy, RSP and MCCI (U), termed it a “fascist” act to break the doors and windows of the house to arrest Prof. Kodandaram. They demanded immediate release of all those arrested and declaration of job calendar and filling of all the one lakh vacancies.
An act of cowardice
The Telangana State Lok Satta Party condemned the arrest of Prof. Kodandaram with an intention to foil the rally by unemployed youth in the city. Party State unit president Panduranga Rao termed the arrest as an act of cowardice. He also decried the arrest the Vidyarthi Satta leaders.
