YSR Congress Party (YCP) is again in the firing line for their toxic online activities as a disturbing trend of personal harassment and targeted defamation continues to unfold on social media. Even after constant reminders from TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, YCP’s online supporters don’t seem deterred, raising the political temperature.
The latest furore is around Ramagiri Sub-Inspector (SI) Sudhakar Yadav, who found himself in the dock of a sinister online hate campaign. The dispute arises following the visit made recently by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to Raptadu when some individuals threatened police personnel by making objectionable remarks. For this, SI Sudhakar Yadav stood firmly in response — action that unleashed aggression from the ranks of YCP followers online.
Since then, social media sites have been inundated with obscene posts against the SI and his family members. As reported, some users belonging to the YCP have gone to extreme limits by making death threats and spreading obscene, defamatory content aimed at discrediting his personal reputation.
Taking the matter seriously, SI Sudhakar Yadav filed a complaint with the district Superintendent of Police (SP), urging for immediate legal action. Authorities are reportedly tracking down the suspects using their social media IDs and digital activity logs to initiate further investigation.
N. Chandrababu Naidu has strongly condemned the issue, calling for stringent action against all those who are involved in the online intimidation — including YCP leader Kiran Chebrolu, if convicted. He stressed that no one should be permitted to misuse social media to intimidate others or defame them on the pretext of political activism.
Political observers opine that the online harassment of a police officer and his family members is a bad precedent and an indicator of the declining level of political discourse in the state. As people’s opinion becomes increasingly against such poisonous conduct, the government is being urged by many to act firmly.
The unfolding situation has raised serious concerns about the misuse of digital platforms in politics. All eyes are now on the authorities to see whether justice will prevail and if concrete steps will be taken to curb such abusive practices.