Telangana Congress MLA defends bus interaction after video sparks outrage
A video showing Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy holding a female student’s hand on a moving RTC bus went viral, prompting accusations of misconduct and a rebuttal from the lawmaker.
A video circulating on social media shows Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy holding the hand of a female college student aboard a Telangana state road transport corporation bus as the vehicle moved. The MLA said he was on the bus to evaluate the state’s Mahalakshmi scheme, which offers free travel for women, and that his interaction was affectionate, comparing the women to his own daughters. He accused the opposition BRS of fabricating and spreading the clip to tarnish his image.
In response, BRS general secretary R S Praveen Kumar called for the state’s SHE Teams and Women Safety Wing to file a complaint under Section 354 for allegedly outraging a woman’s modesty. The controversy highlights tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, as well as concerns about appropriate behavior by public officials on public transport.
Why it matters
The incident raises questions about political conduct, gender respect, and the use of social media to influence public perception.
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