The Human Rights Forum (HRF) condemns the filing a criminal case against V. Venkateswarlu, president of the Kurnool District Motor Workers Union, for the alleged offence of penning a poem criticizing the lopsided public hearing held recently for the expansion of the TGV SRAAC chemical factory in Kurnool. We demand that the criminal case against him be dropped immediately.
The poem highlights the harmful and dangerous impact on humans and the environment because of the toxic chemical emissions from the TGV SRAAC unit. Unable to stomach this, the TG SRAAC had a criminal complaint filed by the factory’s watchman against Venkateswarlu. This is a deliberately malicious act.
Following the complaint, the Kurnool III Town Police, promptly filed a FIR without even carrying out a preliminary inquiry. This was clearly done to please the factory management. It was alleged that Venkateswarlu blackmailed the watchman and extorted money from him. The police further seized Venkateswarlu’s phone and kept him in illegal detention for three days.
Given that State Industries Minister, T G Bharath and his father, ex-Member of Parliament, T G Venkatesh are the promoters of the factory, we believe it is highly doubtful that the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) would discharge its functions independently and will abide by the law. The State government and the Union Environment Ministry make grand pronouncements about ‘Swachh Bharat’ while in reality they enable and protect hazardous industries. It is common knowledge that TG Venkatesh has often used his political clout to target those who protest against the detrimental impacts of his factories.
The alliance government in the State is clearly reneging on its election promises. Is it not the responsibility of the State to protect the fundamental right to free speech and not criminalise it? Democracy is in the dock when the police brazenly serve corporate interests and shield polluters while cracking down on democratic dissent.
HRF demands that the false case against Venkateswarlu be immediately withdrawn. An inquiry must be held into the conduct of the police personnel involved and action initiated against those responsible. The APPCB must cancel the recently held vitiated public hearing.
UG Srinivasulu (HRF AP State vice-president)
UM Devendra Babu (HRF AP State secretary)
01-06-2025,
Kurnool.