Chandrababu Naidu laments attack on pillars of democracy in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: TDP national president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday paid rich tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar and other stalwarts on the occasion of Constitution Day.

Naidu recalled the outstanding services rendered by our forefathers in laying strong foundations to the vibrant Indian democracy which became an inspiration for many other countries in the world. Unfortunately, it was painful to see Andhra Pradesh becoming a stage for the non-stop violations of the Constitution and unchecked atrocities against all sections of citizens, he said.

In a statement here, the TDP chief deplored that all the four pillars of democracy came under attack under the present regime. It was every citizen's responsibility to protect these institutions from the anarchic forces. Those who had to uphold the spirit of the Constitution were undermining it, which was highly unpardonable. However highly placed they may be, everybody should abide by the Constitution.

Extending his 71st Constitution Day greetings to all Telugu people, Naidu said liberty, freedom and fraternity were the foundations of a democracy. It was painful that in AP, all dissenting voices were suppressed, the media was muzzled, the fundamental rights were trampled upon and false cases and illegal detentions were resorted to. The flagrant violation of the Constitutional rights was evident from how the atrocities cases were booked against the SCs themselves.

The TDP chief expressed concern that the farmers were handcuffed even as joint suicides were committed, unable to bear harassment from the ruling party leaders. Gangrapes and attacks on the Opposition became the order of the day. The general public should strongly oppose the suppression of the aspirations and hopes of our elders for shaping a bright future for the young generations, he said.

In a separate statement, party senior leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu asserted that the YSRCP government had no moral right to celebrate the Constitution Day considering how it had undermined the established systems and Constitutional institutions in the state in the past 18 months.

He said the Jagan government was implementing the faction-driven Raja Reddy Constitution which marked countless and unchecked atrocities on the BC, SC, ST and Muslim minorities.

Ramakrishnudu said that the Dalits were being persecuted in Andhra Pradesh like never before in history in any other state in the country. Dalit doctor Dr Sudhakar was attacked, humiliated, arrested, jailed and persecuted. Another Dalit doctor Dr Anitha Rani and Dalit Judge Justice Ramakrishna were humiliated. These atrocities were only possible under the Raja Reddy Constitution. The Pulivendula type settlements were on the rise everywhere. This has struck fear in the hearts of the people, he said.