TDP’s Sujana Chowdary mocks RK Beach protests, says Special Status is a ‘closed chapter’
Even as several youngsters were detained near RK Beach in Vishakapatnam as they attempted to gather together for a silent protest demanding Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and TDP leader Y Sujana Chowdary trivialized the protests and said that the issue was now a closed chapter.
Commenting on the jallikattu protests and calls for special status in Andhra, he said, “I don't understand how jallikattu protests became an inspiration to these people. If they are really fond of jallikattu, let them go and play the game. They are free to take part in cock fights too. If not satisfied, they can go and take part in pig fight competitions.”
Chowdary, who is known to have worked closely with the Centre to provide a special financial package for Andhra, said he considered the issue to be “a closed chapter”.
Speaking to the media at the Republic Day celebrations in Hyderabad at the TDP office, he said that he was prepared for a public debate on what exactly special status meant, and asked protesters asking for special category status to prove how it would help Andhra Pradesh.
His comment has attracted huge criticism from detractors. Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan tweeted stating that comparing special status with pig races was painful and that the comment would provoke the youth.
Several protesters took to social media to criticize his comment.
#SujanaChowdary Sir Please list out the benefits of #APSpecialPackage over #APSpecialStatus . I think you would be the right person.
— Shiva Battula (@cheerfulshiva) January 27, 2017
#APFightsForSpecialStatus Union Ministers @Ashok_Gajapathi and #SujanaChowdary should resign immediately if they have an iota of shame left
— Sanath (@Sanathvarma) January 26, 2017
#SujanaChowdary Give up arrogance. Else you would feel the #scs heat
— JVLN MURTHY (@jvlnmurthy) January 26, 2017
#APFightsForSpecialStatus thank you @ncbn keeping #SujanaChowdary as cabinet minister..no depoits #TDP in 2019
— nagakrishna (@chundurukrishna) January 26, 2017