- Same excesses… “Red Book Rule” continues
- Harassment under the pretext of social media posts
- False cases and illegal arrests create fresh chaos
- Shocking situation where police themselves act like kidnappers
- No change in police behaviour despite repeated court warnings
- Some police behaving like ruling party cadres
- YSRCP leaders and sympathizers being specifically targeted
- YSRCP General Secretary (Media) Pudi Srihari illegally arrested again
- Despite bail from Kuppam court, shifted to Guntur in another case out of vendetta
- Social media activist Kareemulla attacked by TDP groups in Vijayawada
- Conspiracies to cover up diesel shortage and governance failures
- Crackdown on social media in the name of control reflects authoritarian rule
The “Red Book Rule” has once again resurfaced aggressively in the state. In an attempt to divert attention from governance failures and public issues, an atmosphere of fear is being created through false cases and illegal arrests. There is growing anger over the alleged artificial diesel shortage created to benefit Amaravati contractors, forcing people to queue at fuel stations. To divert attention from this crisis, the government is allegedly using police as tools to suppress social media voices under the guise of law enforcement. YSRCP leaders and supporters are being deliberately targeted and harassed.
Priority to Vendetta Politics
An undeclared emergency-like situation is prevailing in the state under what is described as “Red Book rule.” Governance has taken a backseat, while vendetta against opposition leaders and social media activists has become the primary focus. There are serious allegations that police themselves are behaving like abductors. Despite repeated reprimands from courts, there is no change in police conduct. YSRCP has accused the government of undermining the Constitution and replacing it with a politically driven “Red Book Constitution.”
Diversion from Public Issues
The government is suppressing any questioning of public issues. While there is no petrol or diesel shortage elsewhere in the country, decisions to allocate diesel in bulk for Amaravati contractors reportedly led to an artificial shortage in Andhra Pradesh. This caused severe hardship for vehicle owners, aqua farmers, transport operators, and the general public. To divert attention from public anger, the government is accused of targeting social media users with cases and arrests.
Questioning leads to Jail
The government’s vendetta politics has reportedly reached extreme levels, with YSRCP leaders being the primary targets of illegal cases and arrests. The arrests based solely on social media posts are cited as evidence of an undeclared emergency worse than the past. Even basic criticism or questioning of unfulfilled promises results in immediate police action under allegations of spreading misinformation.
Authoritarian crackdown
Criticism of the government or social media dissent is being met with midnight arrests, suppressing freedom of expression. Hundreds of youth questioning the failure of “Super Six” promises are being targeted. Arrests are being carried out abruptly, with individuals being harassed and moved between stations. There are also allegations of police entering homes at odd hours, including harassment of women.
Illegal arrest of Pudi Srihari
YSRCP General Secretary (Media) Pudi Srihari was earlier denied remand by a Kuppam court, but after subsequent legal developments, he has been repeatedly targeted. He was arrested again in Bengaluru, and despite securing bail, he has been shifted to Guntur in another case, indicating continued vendetta. Similarly, social media activist Kareemulla was attacked by TDP supporters in Vijayawada, and even at the police station, he was allegedly assaulted while police remained passive.
Harassment for Questioning promises
Despite making numerous promises, the government has failed to implement even one fully in two years. Anyone questioning these failures is being targeted with false cases and harassment. Even liking, sharing, or commenting on social media posts critical of the government is reportedly leading to police action.
Collapse of Police System
There is growing criticism that police are not functioning as per law but are acting with political bias. Allegations include fabrication of evidence, failure to produce arrested individuals before courts within 24 hours, use of third-degree methods, and custodial torture. YSRCP has accused the leadership of enabling such a breakdown in law enforcement.
Unlawful Police Conduct
YSRCP has termed the current governance as worse than Emergency-era repression, with systematic targeting through illegal arrests and multiple cases. For instance, former minister Ambati Rambabu reportedly faces as many as 36 cases, which legal experts say is unlawful. Party leaders allege that such actions are being carried out under direct instructions from Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh.
