“Chhat chheen gayi, par aasman ka saaya baaqi hai,
Tatpatri ke neeche, phir bhi jeene ka jazba baqi hai.”
“Homeless after the demolition, seeking shelter under a plastic sheet in the pouring rain.”
Hyderabad: BRS Working President KT Rama Rao has strongly condemned the demolition of homes belonging to the poor in Hyderabad amid severe rainstorms, blaming the current Congress government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for showing a lack of empathy. The demolitions have left many residents homeless, standing drenched and vulnerable in the heavy rain, without shelter or proper aid. Rama Rao criticized the government for failing to consider the plight of these vulnerable families during extreme weather.
In a statement on Sunday, Rama Rao said, “The Congress government promised a people-centric administration but is instead robbing the poor of their homes. Videos of families standing in the rain, their homes destroyed, show the harsh reality of this government’s actions.” He further stated that the demolition drive was “merciless” and highlighted the Congress government’s disregard for the rights and dignity of the poor.
Rama Rao shared his concerns about the need for rehabilitation and urged immediate action. He called on Telangana’s Chief Secretary, A Santhi Kumari, to allocate the 40,000 double-bedroom houses built by the previous BRS administration to those displaced by the demolitions. “A humane rehabilitation policy is necessary. The government must follow due legal procedures and protect its citizens, especially in such harsh conditions,” he said.
Several BRS leaders, including RS Praveen Kumar, echoed Rama Rao’s sentiments. Expressing his sorrow, Kumar remarked, “These poor people are suffering. If they were living in illegal structures, the government should have provided them alternative housing before demolishing their homes. Justice should be the same for both the rich and the poor.” As someone who grew up in slums, Kumar warned the Congress government that its actions would have serious consequences.
BRS leader Dasoju Sravan also criticized the ongoing demolitions, describing them as “anarchy” and an example of “poor leadership.” He accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of employing bulldozer politics to intimidate and displace the poor without any proper legal framework. “The administration is implementing these demolitions without long-term planning or judicial backing, leaving the poor to fend for themselves,” Sravan added.
The growing criticism from BRS leaders highlights the escalating political tension around the issue of displacement and the Congress government’s handling of the crisis.
