Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy recently made headlines with his visit to Tenali, a move that has sparked debate among political circles and the public alike. Jagan’s stated intent was to console the families of three individuals who were allegedly assaulted by the police, but the visit ended up raising more questions than answers.
According to Jagan, the victims one a junior advocate, another a polytechnic graduate, and the third a mechanic were unfairly targeted and beaten by Tenali police officers. The incident reportedly stemmed from an altercation with a plainclothes constable. Jagan accused the police of using violence without proper legal procedure and claimed they falsely opened a "rowdy sheet" against the trio to damage their reputations.
Despite the serious allegations, the optics of the event didn’t work in Jagan’s favor. Two of the three individuals Victor and Kareemullah who were already released on bail, were noticeably absent during the visit. Their absence fueled speculation that the accusations might not be as one-sided as presented, especially if the two have existing criminal records.
Adding to the controversy, Jagan unexpectedly brought the victims’ family members into the public eye, exposing them before the media in what many have called a breach of privacy. This move was seen as insensitive, turning a potentially empathetic gesture into a political spectacle.
Making matters worse, YSR Congress Party (YCP) activists began chanting slogans like "CM Jagan" and "Jai Jagan" throughout the event. What was supposed to be a moment of solidarity and concern for alleged victims of police brutality instead morphed into a political rally, drawing criticism from both the general public and political analysts.
Many now question whether Jagan’s Tenali visit was a genuine act of concern or a politically motivated move aimed at gaining public sympathy. Regardless of intent, the incident has generated polarized opinions, with supporters praising his outreach and critics calling it a misfire that could have been handled with more sensitivity and clarity.
