Stern action will be taken against those behind malicious campaign against capital Amaravati, says A.P. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan

Stern action will be taken against those behind malicious campaign against capital Amaravati, says A.P. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The capital region has historical and spiritual significance, which is evident from the multiple inscriptions that date back to the Mauryan and Ikshvaku dynasties, he observes. The derogatory comments made by journalist Krishnam Raju on Sakshi TV channel and its news anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao against the capital city and women who gave lands for its development are politically motivated, he says.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party (JSP) president K. Pawan Kalyan said on Sunday that the government would take stringent action as per law against those who unleashed a malicious campaign against the capital city of Amaravati and women who parted with their lands for its development.

In a release, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the derogatory comments made by journalist V.V.R. Krishnam Raju on Sakshi TV channel, and its news anchor and senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao were politically motivated and a part of a well -organised conspiracy.

He suggested to the people to understand the intentions of the former Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and his media outlets. The “outrageous statements” on the capital should not be considered as the opinion of a single individual, he said.

The TV channel could not escape responsibility by claiming that the said comments were the personal views of Mr. Krishnam Raju, and pretending to respect women. “These attempts to demean the capital region, which has a rich heritage, are reprehensible,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.

He pointed out that the capital region had historical and spiritual significance, which was evident from the multiple inscriptions that date back to the Mauryan and Ikshvaku dynasties. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang had described this land as one where Buddhism flourished, and Acharya Nagarjuna tread the place, he added.

“How can anyone who has knowledge of these and other relevant facts make despicable comments on it?” Mr. Pawan Kalyan sought to know. He noted that 32% of those who had given their lands for Amaravati belonged to the SC/ST communities, 14% to the Backward Classes, 20% to the Reddy community, 18% to the Kamma community, 9% to the Kapu community, and 3% to the Muslim community.