Widespread protests against ‘pepper attack’

February 15, 2014 11:13 am | Updated November 16, 2021 06:36 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Activists led by TJAC handcuff a person wearing MP Lagadapati Rajagopal’s mask in Nalgonda on Friday. Photo: Singam Venkataramana

Activists led by TJAC handcuff a person wearing MP Lagadapati Rajagopal’s mask in Nalgonda on Friday. Photo: Singam Venkataramana

Widespread protests were staged across the Telangana region on Friday against Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal’s “pepper attack” on fellow MPs from Telangana and others including Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in Parliament on Thursday to obstruct the introduction of the A.P. Reorganisation Bill.

Burning of effigies of Mr. Rajagopal and MP Modugula Venugopal Reddy, and demonstrations against their attack on Telangana MPs were organised at several places. Condemning the Seemandhra MPs’ act, the Telangana activists demanded that the two be banned from politics for life.

In Warangal district, lawyers boycotted courts to protest the Seemandhra MPs’ attempts to scuttle the formation of Telangana State.

Similar protests were held at several places in Mahabubnagar, Karimnagar and other districts of Telangana.

In Hyderabad, an effigy of Mr. Rajagopal was burnt by Telangana activists at ECIL crossroads.

Speaking to reporters here, Minister for Labour and Employment Danam Nagender said Mr. Rajagopal’s act was more dangerous than the terrorist attack on Parliament. He should be punished like Afzal Guru, the Minister said, adding that he had written to AICC president Sonia Gandhi seeking severe action against Mr. Rajagopal.

Former Minister P. Shanker Rao demanded booking of SC/ST Atrocities case against Mr. Rajagopal and other Seemandhra MPs who cooperated with him in his “pepper attack” on Ms. Meira Kumar.

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.