Andhra Pradesh journalist Komineni Srinivas Rao was arrested in Hyderabad on Monday, June 9, by a police team from AP, following outrage over alleged derogatory remarks made against women. The remarks were made during a televised debate on Sakshi Telugu TV, where Rao was moderating a session with journalist and political analyst V.V.R. Krishnam Raju. Following the broadcast, multiple police complaints were filed, particularly highlighting that the comments targeted women from Amravathi. Acting on these complaints, a team led by Thullur DSP Murali Krishna apprehended Rao in Hyderabad, and his arrest was confirmed by the Guntur district police.
Meanwhile, the police reported that co-panelist Krishnam Raju is absconding, with efforts underway to trace and arrest him from his residence in Vijayawada. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission. Chairperson Rayapati Sailaja criticized Sakshi TV for airing the segment, describing it as an insult to women across the state. She demanded an unconditional apology from the channel’s management and called for serious consequences, including revoking Sakshi TV’s broadcasting license. She also confirmed that letters would be sent to the Press Council of India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to demand strict regulatory action.
Public anger over the remarks has led to widespread protests across Andhra Pradesh. Farmers, women’s groups, and Joint Action Committees have planned demonstrations outside Sakshi TV offices in Guntur, Vijayawada, and other locations in the capital region. The Women’s Commission also announced that legal and police action would be initiated against the channel’s management. Sailaja emphasized that this case should serve as a warning to all news platforms, asserting that content that degrades or insults women will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
