Jagan Alleges Police Misuse to Suppress Dissent and Free Speech

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of allegedly using the police machinery to “curb dissent, suppress opposition voices, and restrict free speech” in the state.

In a post on social media platform X, the YSR Congress Party president alleged that the freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution was facing a “dangerous, systematic, and deeply disturbing assault” under the NDA government led by Mr. Naidu.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the police machinery was increasingly being used as a political tool to create fear among citizens who questioned the government.

He further accused the ruling dispensation of carrying out a systematic campaign of political vendetta, intimidation, and institutional misuse of power against social media activists, YSRCP supporters, journalists, and citizens who exposed the “failures, hypocrisy, corruption, and anti-people governance” of the government.

Claiming that a clear pattern had emerged, the former Chief Minister alleged that TDP leaders and their supporters were filing politically motivated complaints against social media posts critical of the government, following which the police were allegedly registering cases by invoking “questionable legal provisions” and filing “false and fabricated FIRs.”

He further alleged that the police department was sending notices to social media platforms, including X, seeking the removal of content critical of TDP leaders and requesting the blocking or suspension of accounts highlighting alleged government failures.

Describing it as a coordinated censorship campaign, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the government was using the police department as a political enforcement mechanism.

“These coercive actions expose the vindictive and authoritarian mindset of the government,” he said, while demanding that the government immediately stop the alleged misuse of police powers.