Bandi Sanjay arrest: Tension grips Telangana; BJP calls for state-wide protests

Telangana: Telangana State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for protests in all Mandals and district centers against the alleged illegal arrest of their president Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar was arrested in a midnight operation. BJP alleged that he was arrested without any valid reason. They claim that the arrest is an attempt to divert attention from the exam paper scam and Chief Minister KCR's proposal to finance non-BJP parties through Backward Regions Grant Fund Scheme (BRGF).

#Telangana: @BJP4Telangana President @bandisanjay_bjp has been arrested in the alleged SSC Exam Paper leak case. As one of the accused (journalist) send him a picture of the paper with distorted facts. The exam began at 9.30 AM, the pic taken at 9.45 AM and circulated at 10AM. pic.twitter.com/nzAh6cZ6GS

— NewsMeter (@NewsMeter_In) April 5, 2023

BJP alleged that KCR's family has looted lakhs of crores of public money, and Sanjay Kumar's arrest is an attempt to sidetrack this issue. They demand that the TRS government apologize to the people of Telangana and release Sanjay Kumar immediately.

Initially, the police informed that Sanjay was being taken to Bhuvanagiri court, but later reports indicate that his vehicle was headed towards Hanumakonda.

#Telangana: Following the arrest of @BJP4Telangana President @bandisanjay_bjp, many other BJP leaders have been taken into prevention detention. Former MLC Ramachandra Rao questions cops on the whereabouts of @bandisanjay_bjp. While Dubbaka MLA @RaghunandanraoM is also detained. pic.twitter.com/0DpgXDKqqG

— NewsMeter (@NewsMeter_In) April 5, 2023

This sudden change has fueled anger and frustration among BJP cadres. Lack of transparency and clarity from the police has only added to their concerns. The situation remains tense as BJP leaders wanted to know Sanjay's whereabouts and the reasons for his arrest.

Meanwhile, police are reportedly arresting BJP leaders as a preventative measure to restrict their movement. This move has been met with anger from BJP leaders, who have accused the KCR government of imposing emergency rules and violating democratic principles. They warned that the government will face consequences for its actions. The leaders said the government must be held accountable for the suppression of democracy.

BJP workers reportedly blocked a police vehicle that was carrying Bandi Sanjay at Pembarti near Aleru. According to sources, the workers raised slogans. The situation turned violent when policemen dragged the workers.

Police, on the other hand, have arrested several activists and taken them to Hanumakonda. The situation remains tense, and further updates are awaited.

Bhuvanagiri's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rajesh Chandra said Sanjay was made in connection with criminal charges. However, he refrained from divulging further details. This lack of transparency has angered several BJP leaders

Demanding the reason for the arrest, BJP Party leaders and members of Bandi Sanjaay’s family are continuing their protest and seeking justice.

N V Subhash BJP State Official Spokesperson

Telangana State BJP spokesman N V Subhash strongly criticized the arrest of the party's president in Karimnagar district. Subhash condemned the police for not revealing the reason for his arrest.

Subhash accused Chief Minister KCR of being inhumane and not allowing people to attend the last rites of their loved ones. He alleged that KCR was intoxicated with power and demanded the immediate release of Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Bandi Sanjay Kumar had travelled to Karimnagar to attend his mother-in-law's ninth-day ceremony when police took him into custody. Family members and party workers demanded an explanation for his arrest.

Subhash termed the arrest undemocratic and accused the police of behaving like ruling party workers. He further alleged that KCR was using the police to prevent his political rivals from attending the last rites of their loved ones.

Tarun Chugh, National General Secretary of BJP and In-charge of Telangana

Tarun Chugh has strongly condemned the illegal arrest of Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Tarun criticized the police for not disclosing the reason for the arrest and accused them of becoming tools of rampant misuse of power.

Tarun stated that the arrest of Bandi Sanjay shows that KCR has failed on all fronts He cited the example of the TSPSC paper leak and the inability to conduct even the 10th-class exam.

Bandi Sanjay, who had gone to Karimnagar to attend his mother-in-law's 10th-day ceremony, was forcefully dragged out by the police during his arrest, Tarun said.

Tarun asserted that the people of Telangana will soon teach this despotic government a fitting lesson. He warned that the BJP national leadership is taking this outrageous attempt very seriously and KCR will pay heavily for his sins.

Gujjula Premender Reddy, BJP State Office Secretary

Gujjula Premender Reddy claimed that Sanjay Kumar was arrested without any reason and that the TRS government should apologize to the people of Telangana and release him immediately.

He said Sanjay Kumar was arrested in an attempt to divert attention from the KCR family’s follies. He alleged that lakhs of crores of public money has been looted by the KCR family. He said even examination papers have been leaked in the state.

Sai Bhageerath, Bandi Sanjay’s son

Sanjay's son Sai Bhageerath expressed his concerns about his father's arrest. He alleged mistreatment of the police.

Bhageerath has stated that Sanjay was not provided with any explanation as to why he was being arrested. He expressed concern over his father's health. He said his father is a heart patient, and there is no information available on his current condition.

Bhageerath demanded information about his father's arrest.

Etala Rajender, MLA Huzurabad

Rajender said that even conducting 10th-class exams has become a challenge in the state.

Rajender has questioned the government's ability to lead the state. He has also emphasized that it is the government's responsibility to ensure the safety and security of students during exams.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister For Culture, Tourism, and Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER)

Union Minister Kishan Reddy called up Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Anjani Kumar, seeking clarification on the arrest of BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Kishan Reddy expressed his concern over the arrest and questioned how Sanjay could be detained without any reason.

DGP stated that details of the case will be provided at a later time. Kishan Reddy's questioned the DGP's knowledge and said it raises serious concerns about the efficiency of Telangana's police system.

Kishan Reddy expressed disappointment with the way the police are handling the situation in Telangana. He went on to instruct the police not to show any special treatment or respect towards the family of Chief Minister Kalvakuntla.

National President of BJP in conversation with the BJP leader

BJP National President JP Nadda contacted former MLC Ramachandra Rao to discuss the arrest of Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Rao criticized the manner of Sanjay's arrest as undemocratic and called for an explanation as to why the arrest was carried out in the middle of the night. He also questioned the need for Sanjay's detention and why he was taken to the police station.

Rao further highlighted concerns about the possibility of media reporters being subjected to legal action when sharing information with politicians. He emphasized that while reporters may provide information to politicians, it remains unclear whether such actions would lead to criminal charges.

Dubbaka MLA, Raghunandan Rao, was subjected to a police raid

Dubbaka MLA Raghunandan Rao was subjected to a police raid after he obtained information about the arrest of Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Police officers, who were not in uniform, dragged Raghunandan Rao to their vehicle.

According to the reports, Raghunandan Rao expressed his anger and demanded to know the reason for his arrest. He questioned the appropriateness of the police's behavior while being in plain clothes. He also raised concerns about whether Bandi Sanjay Kumar would also be arrested if he were to meet with the DCP regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, reports of police raids on BJP women leaders have emerged. Leaders alleged mistreatment and harassment during the search. Many of them have expressed their anger over the police's conduct, including instances of holding their sarees inappropriately.