The arrest of veteran journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao over remarks made during a televised debate has ignited a political and social firestorm in Andhra Pradesh. The controversy, rooted in a contentious discussion about Amaravati’s identity, has spurred allegations under multiple serious laws, sparking debates on press freedom, caste dignity, and media responsibility.
The Andhra Pradesh police on Monday arrested senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, a prominent face on Sakshi TV, from his Hyderabad residence following a controversial televised debate aired on June 6. The arrest came after a complaint was filed by Kambampati Sireesha, a leader from the Amaravati Capital Farmers’ Dalit JAC, who accused Rao and co-panellist V.V.R. Krishnam Raju of making “obscene, defamatory, and caste-insulting remarks” during the live program ‘KSR’.
According to the FIR, the duo allegedly stated that Amaravati is not the capital of the Gods but of prostitutes and that only AIDS patients live there. It deeply offended the residents, particularly Dalit women. The police said the comments, allegedly made with the encouragement of the Sakshi management, amounted to insulting the modesty of women, caste defamation, and promoting enmity among groups.
Journalists Face Heavy Charges Under SC/ST and IT Acts
The complaint has triggered a slew of serious legal charges. The FIR mentions violations under:
- Section 3(1)(u) of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, for promoting feelings of enmity against SC/ST members.
- Section 67 of the IT Act, for transmitting obscene material.
- Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), for acts intended to outrage the modesty of a woman.
- Additional charges under Sections 196, 299, 353(2), 356(2), and 61(1) of the BNS.
Police confirmed that Kommineni Srinivasa Rao was taken to Guntur for further interrogation, while V.V.R. Krishnam Raju remains absconding. The authorities have refrained from sharing operational details, citing security concerns.
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Press Freedom or Hate Speech?
The arrest has polarized public opinion. While Dalit and women’s rights groups have welcomed the action, calling it a long-overdue acknowledgement of caste-based and gendered slurs in mainstream media, others have criticised it as a blow to journalistic freedom.
Several journalists’ unions issued cautious statements. The Editors Guild of India is reportedly reviewing the developments. A spokesperson for Sakshi TV denied editorial involvement in scripting or encouraging the controversial comments, stating that the views were personal opinions of the guests.
Political analysts note the timing is crucial, as Andhra Pradesh undergoes sensitive post-election political shifts and an ongoing Amaravati-Vishakapatnam capital debate. Rao, seen as having sympathies with YSRCP positions, now finds himself entangled in a legal and ethical maelstrom that may redefine media responsibility and legal accountability in politically charged journalism.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.