Tension boiled over in Andhra Pradesh as police virtually detained YS Sharmila Reddy, sister of the Chief Minister and head of the opposition Congress party, to prevent a protest against unemployment. The dramatic scene unfolded when Sharmila, who spent the night at the party office to avoid house arrest, was confined within along with other leaders.
The protest, dubbed “Chalo Secretariat,” aimed to pressure the ruling YSRCP government to address the plight of unemployed youth and students. They demanded filling vacant teacher positions through a Mega District Selection Committee (DSC) and criticized the government for issuing notifications for only 6,000 posts, despite promising 23,000.
Police deployed in large numbers and arrested key Congress figures like Rudra Raju and Mastan Vali, creating chaos and heated arguments. The action sparked outrage, with Sharmila calling it a “shameful” attack on democracy and demanding the release of detained leaders.
Despite the hurdles, Sharmila vowed to continue the protest within the party office, highlighting the party’s resolve to fight for the unemployed despite facing government roadblocks.
This incident adds another layer to the already tense political atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh, raising questions about freedom of expression and the government’s approach to dissent. It remains to be seen how this saga unfolds and what impact it has on the upcoming elections.
