BRS leader KTR expresses regret over remarks on women commuters in TGSRTC buses

Hyderabad: BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) on Friday expressed regret over his comments on women commuters in state-owned buses.

Rama Rao, while speaking on the Congress government's scheme of free travel for women in RTC buses said his party would have no objection if women took up activities like knitting while travelling in buses.

Why should the BRS object if the women or entire families do work like knitting or "break dance" in buses but his party wants the situation of scuffles breaking out in buses to be avoided, he had said, while speaking at an event here recently.

KTR asked whether a situation of jostling for space or scuffles breaking out among passengers in buses ever occurred during the previous BRS regime.

The government should provide an adequate number of buses for the convenience of passengers, he said, responding to certain remarks made by State Women and Child Welfare Minister Anasuya.

After his comments came in for sharp criticism from various groups, the BRS leader said he never had the intention to offend "sisters."

"I am sorry if our women sisters were offended by the usual comments made in the party meeting yesterday...I never had the intention to offend my sisters," he said in a social media post.

Taking exception to Rama Rao's comments, Women and Child Welfare Minister D Anasuya had said the BRS leader should apologise to the women of Telangana.

Women's commission issues notice

Telangana State Commission for Women has issued a notice to BRS working president K Taraka Rama Rao for his alleged derogatory remarks against women. The commission has asked him to appear in person on August 24, 2024.

The free bus service for women has helped a lot of women and Congress women leaders on Friday demanded that KTR must apologize for his comments.

Congress party workers across the state burnt effigies of KTR, protesting his comments against women.

(Inputs from PTI)