TRS MLA's Anti-Dalit Comments Unacceptable: Dasoju

TRS MLA Challa Dharma Reddy has landed himself in a soup after he made "casteist" comments against the Dalits in the state.

The MLA reportedly said, "Government officers from backward castes do not know how to work. This has spoiled our state."

The comments have prompted the Congress leaders of the state, who condemned the leader's remarks, to demand that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao suspend the leader for his "racist arrogance".

Speaking on the matter, veteran Congress leader and party spokesperson Sravan Dasoju today said that he would leave the party unless Dharma Reddy tendered an unconditional apology to the Dalit community.

"It is unfortunate that the leaders of a country that is run on a Constitution written by a Dalit leader, B R Ambedkar, can make such comments. We demand that MLA Dharma Reddy tenders an unconditional apology to the Dalit community in the state," he said.

"What is even more upsetting is the MLA's attitude towards the community - after using Dalit votes to come to power, he is now turning his back on them," Dasoju added.

He also warned the state government that the Congress would not keep mum if the infraction was not adequately addressed.

"CM KCR and his son, K T Rama Rao, must ensure that the issue is addressed. Dharma Reddy must immediately be removed from his post. If this is not done, we will launch an agitation to ensure that he is punished. Further, both the CM and KTR must also apologise to the community as they are responsible for the TRS," the leader said.

Noting that the Dalits were like "pearls", the Congress leader said that there were several Dalit IAS and IPS officials in the state, which reflected the capability of members of the community.

Meanwhile, the offending MLA, in the face of a sea of backlash, today tendered his apologies to the community for his controversial remarks against them after garlanding a statue of Ambedkar at Hanamkonda.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "I apologise sincerely to all those who were hurt by my recent remarks. I did not deliberately mean to offend anyone."

Though Reddy has now addressed the issue, many in the state are likely to view his apology as merely a performative one