KT Rama Rao (KTR), working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former Telangana Minister, has issued an apology following backlash over his comments regarding the state’s free bus travel scheme for women. KTR’s remarks, made during a party meeting, included controversial references to videos of women engaging in domestic tasks and fighting on buses, which ignited significant controversy and criticism.
In his apology, KTR expressed regret on X, stating, “If my offhand comments during yesterday’s party meeting caused any distress to my sisters, I express my regret. I never intended to offend my sisters.” The remarks in question were a reaction to comments made by State Women and Child Welfare Minister Anasuya Seethakka, who questioned the practicality of people peeling ginger and onions on buses. KTR’s comments included sarcastic suggestions about women performing various activities on buses, which he claimed was a response to demands for additional buses.
The remarks quickly drew criticism from Congress leaders, who condemned KTR’s statements as disrespectful and inappropriate. Minister Seethakka criticized the comments as “highly objectionable” and challenged the BRS’s stance on respect for women, demanding an unconditional apology from KTR. She questioned whether KTR’s comments reflected the values his family taught him and whether his sisters were also subjected to such disrespect.
In response to the controversy, the Telangana Women’s Commission announced it had initiated an inquiry into KTR’s comments. Sharada Narella, Chairman of the Commission, described the comments as “derogatory” and expressed concern over the distress caused among women in Telangana. The Commission has commenced an investigation under its statutory powers, aiming to address the issue and assess the impact of the remarks on the state’s women.
